- Recent form: Farul Constanța failed to win any of their last five games (L-L-D-D-L).
- Odds: Farul Constanța are favored to win this decisive second leg at 1.39, with Chindia Târgovişte coming in at 8.2.
- Head-to-head: Chindia Târgovişte have won seven of the last 10 H2H meetings in all competitions since 2012.
Chess match on the pitch
Farul Constanta finished the SuperLiga play-out with a paltry 25 points from 9 games and now they face Chindia Târgovişte in the Liga I relegation-promotion playoff. The winner of this two-legged tie will claim a coveted Liga I spot for the 2026 - 27 campaign. The prize for either club is huge, with sporting success and financial windfall on the line in Sunday’s second leg.
Flavius Stoican’s men have been in poor form heading into this promotion/relegation battle, and they are winless in their last five in all competitions. In the first leg, Farul were the better team and looked like they might win but were held to a 3 - 3 draw after an 88th-minute equalizer, while they looked vulnerable at the back after conceding late goals.
Chindia Târgovişte, who finished sixth in Liga II, gave it a good go during the promotion push and picked up around 37 points to reach this playoff. Nicolae Croitoru’s team set up in a compact shape, using a double pivot to screen the defense and the wide players to push on in transition. The Târgovişte-based club were in good form, winning two, losing two and drawing one of their last five, and were arguably unlucky not to secure the win in the 3-3 thriller in the first leg.
A goal-laden thriller is possible
Match outlook
The odds of a home win for Farul are skinny and there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Chindia can get something from this game. The correct score predictions of 1-0 and 2-1 in favour of the hosts are likely to be the case, but another three-goal thriller could be on the cards if Chindia press the pace in the attacking third.
Players to watch
- Rafael Munteanu’s costly mistake in the opening leg will hang over him here, but the goalkeeper’s shot stopping will be crucial to this game.
- Denis Alibec is a talisman for Farul, netting in the 3-3 opener and leading the line as the team’s most consistent and most clinical player.
- Alexandru Ișfan provides a good amount of pace and creativity in behind and he scored in the 3-3 classic, while Jovan Marković’s off-the-bench impact should not be underestimated after his 88th-minute equaliser last week.
- Daniel Florea will lead the Chindia attack from the top of the club’s scoring charts with around 10 goals this season.
- He was on the scoresheet in the 3-3 last week, while veteran wide player Doru Popadiuc also offers a threat on the break and from set pieces.
- Ivan Pešić was on the mark in the opening contest and offers an additional threat in the Chindia front three.
