Levski Sofia
Universitatea Craiova
>Champions League · 2nd Qualifying RoundLevski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova: Prediction and Odds, Champions League, 22/07/2026
Two freshly crowned domestic champions collide at the Vivacom Arena on 22 July as Levski Sofia host Universitatea Craiova in the Champions League second qualifying round first leg. The Bulgarian side, priced at 2.00, carry genuine European ambitions after ending a 17-year title wait. Both clubs have everything to play for.
Projected final score: 1-0
Levski Sofia's defensive record at home is the defining factor here. With 4 clean sheets in their last 6 competitive home games and only 0.6 goals conceded per match across their last 10, they are built to frustrate opponents at Vivacom Arena. Craiova arrive missing key personnel including Rădulescu, Rus, and Lung Jr., making 2.00 genuinely attractive for a first-leg European context.
A low-scoring affair is the logical outcome given Levski's miserly defensive structure and Craiova's depleted squad. With the visitors missing multiple starters across defensive and midfield positions, their attacking output should fall well below their season average of 1.8 goals per game, making N/A the natural companion to this scoreline.
Match Analysis
Levski Sofia enter this Champions League qualifier as favorites at 2.00, backed by a formidable home defensive record and a fully rested starting XI after coach Velazquez deliberately rotated seven players in their last league fixture.
- 4 clean sheets in their last 6 competitive home matches at Vivacom Arena.
- 0.6 goals conceded per game across their last 10 matches, the tightest defensive record in this tie.
- Key starters Vutsov, Kamdem, Trdin, Oko-Flex, and Reinaldo all expected to return after deliberate rotation.
- First-leg European context rewards defensive solidity; Levski's home setup is built precisely for this.
Universitatea Craiova arrive at 3.65 carrying a 15-match unbeaten run, yet face a severe squad crisis with multiple suspensions and injuries stripping their away XI of key defensive and midfield starters.
- 9 players unavailable, including three suspensions: Rădulescu, Bană, and Fălcușan.
- Key defensive starters Screciu, Rus, and Isenko all absent, exposing structural weaknesses at the back.
- Craiova's 1.8 goals-per-game attacking average is undermined by a significantly weakened squad depth away from home.
Key point: With both defenses primed and Craiova's attack depleted, a low-scoring first leg looks likely; consider N/A as a complementary angle.
Statistics and Head-to-Head
Form & Statistics: Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia
Recent form
Season statistics (2)
Universitatea Craiova
Recent form
Season statistics (2)
Probabilities & Odds: Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova
Source : StakeMatch Information
Lineups: Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia
Starters
- 1 Svetoslav Vutsov
- 2 Maicon Araújo dos Santos
- 3 Wabo Oliver Kamdem
- 4 Kristian Dimitrov
- 5 Álex Centelles
- 6 Nikola Serafimov
- 7 Gasper Trdin
- 8 Serginho
- 9 Armstrong Oko-Flex
- 10 Reinaldo Nascimento Satorno
- 11 Juan Esteban Perea Sanchez
Bench
- Akram Bouras
- Everton Bala
- Mehdi Moubarik
- Anzor Mekvabishvili
Absent
- Stipe Vulikic (injury)
- Christian Makoun (injury)
- Karl Fabien (injury)
- Radoslav Kirilov (injury)
- Asen Mitkov (fitness issues)
- Mustapha Sangare (fitness issues)
Universitatea Craiova
Starters
- 1 Laurențiu Popescu
- 2 Nicușor Bancu
- 3 Juraj Badelj
- 4 Stevanović
- 5 Oleksandr Romanchuk
- 6 Anzor Mekvabishvili
- 7 T. Băluță
- 8 Alexandru Cicâldău
- 9 Stefan Baiaram
- 10 Steven Nsimba
- 11 Simon Elisor
Bench
- Samuel Teles
- C. Mora
- H. Tavares
Absent
- Silviu Lung Jr. (injury)
- Mihnea Rădulescu (suspended)
- Adrian Rus (injury)
- Alexandru Iamandache (injury)
- Vladimir Screciu (injury)
- Pavlo Isenko (injury)
- Ștefan Bană (suspended)
- Assad Al-Hamlawi (injury)
- Darius Fălcușan (suspended)
- Assad Al Hamlawi (injury)
Low confidence
A 3-4-3 versus 4-3-3 contest shapes up at Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, with Levski Sofia's probable XI backed by two credible outlets while Craiova's arrangement remains speculative, sourced from a single report and adjusted for an injury. That confidence gap is worth keeping in mind when reading the visitors' shape.
For Levski, Armstrong Oko-Flex and Juan Esteban Perea Sanchez offer width and movement across a front three that could stretch Craiova's back four. The Romanians, if their speculated XI holds, will look to Alexandru Cicâldău to dictate tempo through the middle and unlock what promises to be a compact Bulgarian defensive block.
Final thoughts on the predictions for Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova
Levski Sofia's fortress-like home record, with four clean sheets in their last six competitive matches at the Vivacom Arena, makes the double chance covering a home win or draw the standout selection. Head coach Velazquez has kept his best players fresh for this occasion, and the Bulgarian champions should prove difficult to beat on their own patch. Back 1X, with the home win priced at 2.00, as the preferred route into this first leg. Odds correct at time of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main prediction for Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova?
The main pick is Home or Draw (1X), with the draw covered at 3.25, backed by 58% confidence. The single most decisive factor is Levski Sofia's fortress-like home defence: just 0.6 goals conceded per match across their last 10 competitive games, making them extremely difficult to beat at Vivacom Arena.
What is the highest odd for Levski Sofia to win?
The outright home-win is available at 2.00, which represents genuine value given Levski's full-strength XI returning after deliberate rotation. For those seeking safer coverage, a double chance backing Levski or the draw combines both outcomes in one bet, reducing exposure while keeping the upside intact.
Will there be more or less than 2.5 goals in this match?
Under 2.5 goals, priced at N/A, is the recommended call here. Levski concede only 0.6 goals per game at home, and Craiova arrive missing nine players including key attackers. With both sides likely to prioritise defensive solidity in this first-leg European tie, a low-scoring affair is the most probable outcome.
When and where is Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova played?
The match kicks off at 20:30 local time (Sofia, EEST) on 22 July 2026, at the Vivacom Arena, Georgi Asparuhov in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Can Universitatea Craiova pull off an upset against Levski Sofia?
An upset is possible but genuinely difficult at 3.65. Craiova carry a 15-match unbeaten run and average 1.8 goals per game, yet nine absentees, including suspended trio Rădulescu, Bană, and Fălcușan, severely weaken their options. Against a fully rested Levski side on home soil, the Romanian champions face a steep task.
Which alternative market offers the best value?
Both Teams to Score: No, priced at N/A, offers strong value here. Levski kept four clean sheets in their last six competitive home matches, and Craiova's depleted attack makes it unlikely they will find the net. The combination of a watertight home defence and a heavily disrupted visiting squad makes this market particularly compelling.
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