- Team form: Universitatea Cluj have been in fantastic form heading into the play-off round, going unbeaten in their last six games and scoring freely in Liga I and the Cup.
- Recent run: CFR 1907 Cluj strung together a streak of league victories in February, including their 3-2 derby win over Universitatea Cluj.
- Head-to-head: The last five Cluj derbies in Liga I have been hotly contested, with three one-goal games and two draws.
A big game in Cluj with big implications
Universitatea Cluj and CFR 1907 Cluj will begin the play-off phase of the Liga I Playoff 2025-2026 campaign level on 27 points apiece, which should make for a very tight title and European race.
A win in this opening round of the play-off will be massive for either side and the tension should ensure that the atmosphere is electric at Cluj Arena on Monday. Add to that the bad blood between the sides following the fiery derby back in February and the suspensions that could potentially disrupt either squad and you have all the ingredients for a derby day thriller.
Cristiano Bergodi’s men can make the running
CFR’s approach
CFR 1907 Cluj have a pragmatic, well-organised style of play under Daniel Pancu and that’s helped them to string together a long run of league wins in recent months. Karlo Muhar and Tommi Jyry provide steel and energy in the center of the field that can allow Pancu’s men to play vertically when the chance arises.
Pancu will set his side up to be compact and difficult to break down, but fluid enough to make quick transitions and exploit the spaces left by their opponents. CFR’s goals have been shared around this term, but Damjan Đoković and Lorenzo Biliboc have chipped in with some big ones, including their strikes in the February derby.
U Cluj form and key player
But U Cluj are unbeaten in their last six and have been playing their best football of the campaign in the second half of the season. Issouf Macalou is a live wire, contributing goals and assists in key matches, driving forward and dictating the game when he has the ball.
Free-flowing Cluj derby expected
A 4-1 win over Csíkszereda, a 4-0 victory against Oțelul Galați and a 3-1 away win at FCSB, show that U Cluj can rack up some big scores into the play-off and their odds to win this game (2.45) are very enticing.
- Both teams have been in good form and neither will want to give anything away early on, but we expect plenty of goalmouth action and a few goals as this derby unfolds.
- Over 2.5 goals is listed at 2.15 while Both Teams to Score - Yes is 1.83, which seems a little high considering the stakes and the fact that these two teams share a long standing rivalry.
- Universitatea Cluj have played some of their best soccer of the year in the closing stages of the league season and should be able to eke out a narrow victory here.
