SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 11 hrs 57 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
CC
Europa League | Playoffs | 2nd Leg
Aug 26, 2021 at 7.30pm UK
Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu
RS

CFR Cluj
1 - 2
Red Star

Debeljuh (34')
Mar Sigurjonsson (41'), Rodriguez (69')
Rodriguez (78')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Katai (5' pen.), Pavkov (53')
Degenek (16'), Rodic (31'), Sanogo (39'), Dragovic (62')

Preview: CFR Cluj vs. Red Star Belgrade - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: CFR Cluj vs. Red Star Belgrade - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between CFR Cluj and Red Star Belgrade, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Seeking to somehow overturn a seemingly insurmountable 4-0 deficit, CFR Cluj welcome Red Star Belgrade to the Dr. Constantin Radulescu Stadium for the second leg of their Europa League playoff tie on Thursday.

The Serbian powerhouses were simply unplayable in the first leg and will aim to secure a routine passage into the group stage, barring an unforeseen collapse.


Match preview

For all of their domestic dominance since the new season kicked off, Cluj have struggled to compete on the continental stage, suffering a 4-2 aggregate defeat to BSC Young Boys in Champions League qualifying to set up an expected tense affair with Red Star.

However, Marius Sumudica's men had their defence breached within five minutes of the first leg courtesy of Milan Pavkov's finish, and the floodgates opened thereafter as Aleksandar Katai, El Fardou Ben and Mirko Ivanic contributed to a comprehensive success.

Cluj's chances of a third consecutive group-stage appearance are therefore hanging by the thinnest of threads, and a spot in the Europa Conference League surely awaits the seven-time Romanian champions, who have at least kept up their strong league form in spite of their European troubles.

Indeed, the hosts warmed up for the second leg with a 1-0 top-flight success over Arges thanks to Billel Omrani's effort - their sixth win from six in the 2021-22 Liga I - but such a narrow success will prove inconsequential in their bid to somehow turn the tie around this week.

Rightly lauded for pushing AC Milan all the way during the last 32 of the 2020-21 Europa League, Red Star have their sights firmly set on back-to-back appearances at the proper tournament and are in no position to let their healthy lead slip now.

Despite falling short to Moldovan surprise package Sheriff Tiraspol in Champions League qualifying, Dejan Stankovic's side did not dwell on that disappointing exit as they stormed to an eye-catching win in last week's first leg before extending their remarkable unbeaten run in the Serbian top flight.

Now unbeaten in 44 league matches since going down 2-1 to Backa Topola all the way back in June 2020, 11-time champions Red Star gleaned revenge by marching to a convincing 3-1 success over their former conquerors at the weekend, with Nenad Krsticic, Katai and Ben among the goals.

However, one glimmer of hope for Cluj may be the fact that Red Star have suffered defeats to both Kairat and Sheriff away from home in continental action this term - winning just two of their last six away from home in competitive and friendly fixtures - but the hosts would still need nothing short of a miracle to progress now.

CFR Cluj Europa League form:
  • L

CFR Cluj form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W

Red Star Belgrade Europa League form:
  • W

Red Star Belgrade form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W

Team News

Cluj forward Alexandru Paun returns from suspension for this tie after he saw red against Young Boys in Champions League qualifying, and the 26-year-old could take Claudiu Petrila's spot on the left-hand side.

Paun's return is timely with two more attackers in Alexandru Ionita and Alexandru Chipciu out through a doping ban and an ankle injury respectively, while centre-back Andrei Burca is yet to recover from a knee strain.

In the hope of somehow launching an astonishing comeback, Omrani and Gabriel Debeljuh could both feature from the start, while Cristian Manea and Mario Camara should return to the full-back positions.

Red Star midfielder Sekou Sanogo shook off an injury in time to play the full 90 in the first leg and at the weekend, while Stankovic's decision to drop Lois Diony also paid dividends in last week's battle.

Milan Rodic and Guelor Kanga should both be reintroduced to the team after being given 45-minute run-outs off the bench at the weekend, while Pavkov is expected to retain his place up top after repaying Stankovic's faith in him during the first leg.

CFR Cluj possible starting lineup:
Arlauskis; Manea, Ciobotariu, Graovac, Camara; Rodriguez, Sigurjonsson; Dean, Omrani, Paun; Debeljuh

Red Star Belgrade possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Gobeljic, Dragovic, Degenek, Rodic; Sanogo, Ivanic, Kanga; Ben, Pavkov, Katai


We say: CFR Cluj 1-3 Red Star Belgrade (Red Star win 7-1 on aggregate)

This tie is surely dead and buried for Cluj, who will still want to give the home side something to cheer in the form of a goal or two before they prepare for Conference League action.

However, Red Star's red-hot attackers are ready and waiting to punish the hosts should they decide to go for goals and make the second leg an entertaining spectacle, and the Serbian side will aim to make lightning strike twice during another straightforward success en route to the next round.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__460591 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-08-24 16:06:09:
html db last update - 2021-08-23 21:00:09 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Rangers vs. Malmo
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Round
1FCSB110021135
2Universitatea CraiovaU Craiova110021128
3Rapid Bucuresti100112-128
4CFR Cluj100112-127
5SSC Farul110021125
6Sepsi100112-122
Relegation Round
1Universitatea Cluj110030324
2HermannstadtHermannstadt110030323
3UTA Arad110043123
4Petrolul 52110010121
5Otelul110010120
6CSM Iasi100101-117
7U Craiova 1948100101-116
8Dinamo Bucharest100103-315
9Voluntari100134-114
10Botosani100103-311
 
Regular Season
1FCSB30197453282564
2Rapid Bucuresti301510555322355
3CFR Cluj30158754292553
4Universitatea CraiovaU Craiova30131074738949
5Sepsi30127114334943
6SSC Farul30111093738-143
7Universitatea Cluj30101283538-342
8HermannstadtHermannstadt3091383631540
9UTA Arad301010103643-740
10Petrolul 523071492932-335
11Otelul3061683136-534
12CSM Iasi30712113344-1133
13U Craiova 19483094174350-731
14Dinamo Bucharest3085172241-1929
15Voluntari30610143149-1828
16Botosani30312153052-2221
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

1

MC

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

2

MC

Friday's Primeira Liga predictions including Estrela vs. Sporting Lisbon

3

FP

Mainoo, Rashford, Palmer handed boost in Euro 2024 hopes?

4

MR

Why Chelsea winger Sterling will relish Burnley game

5

WC

Preview: Metz vs. Monaco - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PM

Preview: Brentford vs. Man Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PB

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

8

A'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PB

Preview: Chelsea vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .