Universitatea Craiova

vs

SC FC Petrolul Ploiesti

Tips, Stats and Odds

In many ways, these two sides are polar opposites. Filipe Coelho's Universitatea Craiova are a high-tempo, vertical side who play the press high and look to hurt opponents with quick, direct play through the middle. Ricardo Sousa's SC FC Petrolul Ploiesti are pragmatic and compact in their setup, looking to block the central lanes and create chances on the counter-attack.

UC and Petrolul's records in Liga I 2026/2027 are identical, but Saturday's hosts come into this game on the back of 2 consecutive defeats, starting with a 1-0 defeat away to PFC Levski Sofia in UEFA Champions League Qualification 2026 and a 5-1 loss at FC Dinamo București in the league.

Petrolul's form is also mixed in the last 5, but they've avoided defeat in 3 of their last 5 (W1, D2, L2) and have struggled playing away, where they've also posted a 1-0 home win over FC Dinamo București and a 1-0 loss at FC Argeș.

The head-to-head record heavily favours Craiova, who won 4 of the 5 meetings across Liga I and haven't lost to Petrolul in 5. Six months ago, in the reverse fixture of this game, UC absolutely blew Ploiesti away, winning 4-0 away from home and sending a clear statement of intent.

Simon Elisor is UC's top scorer in Liga I 2026/2027 with 1 goal, while Carlos Mora has provided the spark in the centre of the pitch with 2 assists in 2 games.

We think the styles of play and the overall form of both sides point to a home victory in a controlled game, where Petrolul will have to work hard to keep it tight for as long as possible. Under 2.5 goals at 1.88 and Both Teams to Score: No at 1.58 looks like the best fit for this one, even if UC should be comfortable winners on their own patch.