Universitatea Craiova
KuPS
>Europa League · 3rd Qualifying RoundUniversitatea Craiova vs KuPS: Prediction and Odds, Europa League, 13/08/2026
Stadionul Ion Oblemenco hosts a Europa League third qualifying round second leg on 13 August 2026, with Universitatea Craiova and KuPS locked at 1-1 from Finland. A place in the play-off round hangs in the balance. The hosts, priced at 1.33, will look to settle this tie on Romanian soil.
Projected final score: 1-1
A draw feels the most likely outcome here. Craiova's European home record offers some comfort, but their poor domestic form, including a recent home defeat to Argeș, and a heavily depleted defensive unit make a convincing win hard to envisage. KuPS arrive in strong shape, winning 7 of their last 8 domestically, making 4.20 a credible anchor.
With KuPS keeping 4 clean sheets in their last 5 away games and 7 of their last 8 European matches finishing under 2.5 goals, a low-scoring affair is strongly indicated. Both sides are likely to find the net once given Craiova's defensive absences, but the compact KuPS shape should prevent anything more, supporting 1.86.
Match Analysis
Universitatea Craiova enter this decisive second leg as clear favorites at 1.33, backed by a European home record of two wins and one draw in their last four continental fixtures at home, giving them a genuine platform to advance.
- 2W, 1D in last 4 European home fixtures underlines Craiova's continental home reliability.
- 1-1 first-leg draw means any home win sends Craiova through to the next round.
- Home crowd factor in a winner-takes-all second leg amplifies Craiova's territorial advantage.
- KuPS carry two long-term absentees, limiting Finnish squad depth for this high-stakes away trip.
KuPS arrive at 7.00 as sizeable outsiders but carry genuine momentum, leading the Veikkausliiga by five points with seven wins from their last eight domestic matches, bringing sharp form and defensive discipline to this away assignment.
- Craiova missing Isenko, Webster, Iamandache long-term, with Screciu and Romanchuk doubtful.
- Only 1 win in last 6 matches across all competitions, including a home loss to Argeș.
- Craiova's depleted backline faces a KuPS side that kept 4 clean sheets in their last 5 away games.
Key point: With 7 of KuPS's last 8 European matches finishing under 2.5 goals, the under market represents a compelling alternative angle for this tight, low-scoring qualifier.
Statistics and Head-to-Head
Form & Statistics: Universitatea Craiova vs KuPS
Universitatea Craiova
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
KuPS
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Universitatea Craiova vs KuPS: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
Probabilities & Odds: Universitatea Craiova vs KuPS
Source : StakeMatch Information
Lineups: Universitatea Craiova vs KuPS
Universitatea Craiova
Starters
- 1 L. Popescu
- 2 A. Rus
- 3 N. Stevanović
- 4 V. Screciu
- 5 N. Bancu
- 6 A. Mekvabishvili
- 7 A. Cicâldău
- 8 C. Mora
- 9 M. Etim
- 10 Ş. Baiaram
- 11 A. Nsimba Labe
Bench
- R. Sava
- A. Maxim
- A. Crețu
- A. Băluţă
- Assad Al Hamlawi
- D. Matei
- S. Elisor
- H. Tavares
- S. Teles
- L. Băsceanu
- M. Rădulescu
Absent
- Assad Al-Hamlawi (injury)
- Pavlo Isenko (injury)
- Ronaldo Webster (injury)
- Alexandru Iamandache (injury)
- Silviu Lung Jr. (injury)
- Vladimir Screciu (injury)
- Adrian Rus (injury)
- Oleksandr Romanchuk (injury)
KuPS
Starters
- 1 H. Riihimäki
- 2 A. Puukko
- 3 B. Magassa
- 4 K. Nuhu
- 5 C. Antwi
- 6 V. Gasc
- 7 S. Touray
- 8 J. Luyeye-Lutumba
- 9 T. Jyry
- 10 B. Nii Armah
- 11 J. Moreno
Bench
- K. Silen
- S. Heiskanen
- S. Savolainen
- N. Kujasalo
- A. Heinonen
- C. Kabuye
- P. Parzyszek
- A. Lötjönen
- T. Hämäläinen
Absent
- Samuel Pasanen (Long-term injury)
- Jerry Voutilainen (Long-term injury)
Medium confidence
Both sides line up in a 4-2-3-1 mirror, setting the stage for a tactically compact second leg in Craiova. Universitatea's double pivot anchors a fluid attacking three behind the lone striker, while KuPS rely on a similarly structured midfield block to frustrate the Romanian hosts on their own turf.
For Craiova, Cicâldău pulling strings in the centre will be central to unlocking a disciplined KuPS defensive shape built around Magassa and Nuhu. The Finnish visitors, compact and organised, will look to exploit any space left behind Craiova's attacking fullbacks on the counter.
Final thoughts on the predictions for Universitatea Craiova vs KuPS
Craiova's strong European home record and the familiar surroundings of Stadionul Ion Oblemenco tilt this tie in their favour. KuPS have struggled to find the net on tough away days in continental competition, and that pattern should hold here. The double chance 1X, backed by the home win price at 1.33, represents the smartest route into this market at a confidence level of 62%. Odds correct at time of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main prediction for Universitatea Craiova vs KuPS?
The pick is Home or Draw (1X), backed at 1.33 as the closest proxy, with Craiova's European home record of two wins and one draw in their last four continental fixtures at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco being the single most decisive factor in their favour.
What is the highest odd for Universitatea Craiova to win?
The best home-win price is available at 1.33. For bettors who prefer safer coverage, a double chance backing Craiova or the draw removes the outright away-win risk, making it a more conservative route to the same core position.
Will there be more or less than 2.5 goals in this match?
The lean is firmly towards Under 2.5 goals at 1.86. KuPS have kept four clean sheets in their last five away matches, and seven of their last eight European ties have stayed under 2.5 goals, pointing clearly to a tight, low-scoring contest.
When and where is Universitatea Craiova vs KuPS played?
The match kicks off at 20:00 local time (EET) on Thursday, 13 August 2026, at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco in Craiova, Romania.
Can KuPS pull off an upset against Universitatea Craiova?
An upset is possible but difficult. KuPS are in superb domestic form, leading the Veikkausliiga by five points, and their defensive discipline on the road is genuine. However, 7.00 reflects the steep hill they face: winning on Romanian soil, away from home, in a winner-takes-all second leg.
Which alternative market offers the best value?
BTTS No at 1.64 stands out as the best alternative. Craiova are missing multiple key defenders yet KuPS have conceded sparingly away from home, and the Finns' compact shape makes it realistic that at least one side fails to score in a cautious, tactical second leg.
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