ACS Sepsi V FCSB
Monday 22nd July 2019 – 19:00 Kick-Off
Romanian Liga 1
Pick: FCSB to WIN
Odds: 17/20
Bookmaker: MarathonBet
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73/20 | 12/5 | 77/100 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 20th July 2019 at 23:39)
Preview: Teams in sharply contrasting forms meet inside the Stadionul Municipal, home of a Sepsi team that has gone its past thirteen league games without registering a victory. Their opponents are none other than Romania’s most successful club, an FCSB which is currently enjoying a twelve game unbeaten streak. Will it be a routine win for the visitors or do the hosts have another surprise in their locker?
Romanian Liga 1 Betting with 22Bet
ACS Sepsi Preview – Woeful form makes another upset unlikely?
It was a tale of two seasons rolled into one for ACS Sepsi, the club which surpassed even its own expectations to finish the regular season in sixth and subsequently qualify for the championship round. Unfortunately this was the point at which their season took a distinct turn for the worse, once placed in the exalted company of the league’s finest teams. They didn’t win a single match thereafter.
Such was the disastrous nature of their performances in the championship round, losing all but one of ten fixtures, that their goalless draw in the opening match of the new season was probably more cause for celebration than it should have been. The 0-0 draw with Voluntari still kept alive their woeful streak without a win, though, which has now been extended to thirteen in the league (D3 L10).
The latter form is hardly the sort you want ahead of facing the second strongest team in the country last term, whom they lost on three out of the four occasions they played each other in 2018-19. Although a highlight, of what was a pleasing first part of the season, was undoubtedly their thrilling 4-2 victory over FCSB in May of 2018. That was one of six wins recorded on home soil during the regular season (W6 D2 L5 at home in this period).
If Sepsi can somehow rediscover the form which seen them put up more healthy numbers in the regular season (W10 D7 L9), they could be more competitive in this fixture than their odds would have us believe. But it is difficult gauging how much lasting damage that humiliating experience in the latter part of the campaign had on them.
FCSB Preview – Steaua to stretch impressive run of form?
Better known as Steaua Bucharest but now referred to as FCSB following legal disputes. Irrespective of whatever guise they choose to go under, this is the most decorated club in Romanian football having won numerous titles – both at home and in Europe – during their 72 years in existence. Yet the league eluded them last season, as it has done for the past five years now, after finishing two points behind champions CFR Cluj.
The reason behind their shortcomings in the previous campaign was a lack of points registered during the regular part of the season. In theory, then, the team should be doing their best to avoid complacency this time around in the knowledge every point matters. On this occasion, though, only maximum points will suffice.
That is because their form has been imperious for so long now that anything other than winning will feel almost alien to the players. A 4-3 victory at home to Hermannstadt in their season opener made it five wins in a row in the league when including results from the season prior. The larger picture shows no defeats from their previous 12 competitive fixtures (W10 D2), which becomes no defeat in 16 (W13 D3) if you include results from friendlies. Either way, it’s formidable.
And if there were any lingering rustiness following the recent off-season, a couple of handy wins in Europe against FC Milsami of Moldova should have helped. Their 2-1 victory out in Moldova on Thursday ensured comfortable progression into the next round, having already won 2-0 in the home leg a week earlier.
ACS Sepsi V FCSB Key Facts:
- Hosts Sepsi have failed to win a Romanian Liga 1 game since February (D3 L10 since).
- Visitors FCSB are currently unbeaten in 12 competitive matches (W10 D2).
- Five of the previous six meetings between these two teams were won by FCSB, winning 5-1 on their most recent trip to Sepsi.
Betting Summary
The most recognisable football club in the country are also, arguably, the most in-form team in the country, not tasting defeat in twelve competitive games (W10 D2). FCSB’s opening game of the season was a lot closer than expected, beating Hermannstadt 4-3 at home, but that did make it three wins in as many matches this season (one in the league, two in Europe).
As for their opponents. It’s now 13 games without a win in the league, after beginning with a goalless draw away at relegation candidates Voluntari. They did record a stunning 4-2 victory in this very fixture in the last campaign, but that was during the regular season and FCSB would later reverse that outcome in emphatic fashion when winning 5-1 in the championship round to make it five wins in six previous meetings. All of which were recent.
Contrasting form. A dominant head-to-head record. Based purely on statistics, the only bet with any genuine logic is one on FCSB, who were at least two goals better than their opponents on each of the five previous occasions they were victorious. FCSB -1.5 on the Asian Handicap is 23/10 with Bet365.
