CFR Cluj v Slavia Prague
Tuesday 20th August 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 14/25 (odds taken 20.00 GMT, Monday 19 August)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37/20 | 2/1 | 8/5 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 19, 2019 at 20.00)
The playoff round represents the final hurdle for teams wishing to qualify for this year’s Champions League. Cluj have already negotiated three difficult ties and face another against the Czech champions Slavia Prague.
Champions League Playoff Betting at Marathon Bet
CFR Cluj Preview – Can Romanians continue impressive European run and qualify for group stages?
The defeat of Celtic in the previous round was the third tie in a row where Cluj have pulled of an excellent aggregate win. Having been unseeded coming into Champions League qualification, the Romanians have performed incredibly well to reach this stage. Astana are regulars in these qualifiers so to dispatch them having lost the first leg was a really strong showing. Next up were the dangerous Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv whom they saw off 3-2 on aggregate. That tie was dramatic in itself but it was nothing compared to Celtic in their third qualifier. A 4-3 win in Glasgow last Tuesday – having come from behind twice in the second half – was as nerve-shredding as it gets. It has also presented Dan Petrescu’s men with a chance to reach the group stage for the first time since 2012.
What has been noticeable about Cluj’s participation in this year’s qualifiers is their resilience. All three ties have been in the balance going into the second leg and they have managed to find the result they needed each time. It’s unlikely they are going to be emphatic winners tomorrow night so they will likely have to call on that resilience once again next week. It’s certainly a quality they possess and providing they are still in the tie ahead of the return, they will be hopeful.
Slavia Prague Preview – Will Slavia show class and take a precious first leg lead home with them?
Unlike their opponents who have already been on a mammoth journey all over Europe, Slavia enter Champions League qualification at this stage. Having won the Czech title for the second time in three years last season, they’re hoping to make the group stage for the first time in 12 years. Their last attempt ended at the third round of qualifying back in 2017/18 but they have performed well in European competition since that disappointment. Slavia reached the group stages of the Europa League that same season and were quarter finalists in the previous campaign. A 5-3 defeat to eventual winners Chelsea was no disgrace and it will gave given them ambitions of joining Europe’s elite once again.
Slavia Prague come into this crucial game in really good form as they sit top of their domestic league after six games of the current season. Still unbeaten, the champions have won five – scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in the process. It’s further indication of just how well drilled and efficient this team are and they will be hopeful of having enough over the two legs. One player who will be particularly eager to progress is Nicolae Stanci – a Romanian internationalist. He made his name at FCSB and would love to progress past one of their big rivals.
Key-Facts – CFR Cluj v Slavia Prague
- Cluj have already overcome three difficult ties to reach this stage and played out a dramatic 5-4 two-legged clash with Celtic last time out
- Slavia Prague enter qualification at the playoff stage and will be confident of progressing having reached the quarter finals of the Europa League last season
- The first leg of Cluj’s three qualifiers have all been tight affairs with under 2.5 goals in all three
CFR Cluj v Slavia Prague Betting Advice
Slavia Prague will be expected to progress over the course of these two legs and take their place in the group stage of the Champions League. However, the same could have been said for the three clubs Cluj have faced previously. The Romanian champions are stubborn opponents and they will not bother whatsoever about being the underdogs once again. Their two objectives in this first leg will be to defend better than their last match against Celtic and ensure they hold a chance when traveling to the Czech Republic next week.
The first leg of Cluj’s three qualifiers have all been tight affairs. A 1-0 loss to Astana, a 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv and then a 1-1 draw with Celtic. This is in stark contrast to the second legs but I anticipate the pattern continuing tomorrow. Slavia are very good defensively and will be looking to keep things tight. It makes under 2.5 goals an appealing bet.
