Form and Line-up Universitatea Craiova
The match against ML Vitebsk was Universitatea's first of the 2026/27 season. The start could hardly have gone better. Even away from home, they managed to earn an excellent result - 4:1. Half of the Blue and Whites' goals came from penalties: both were won and converted in the first half. There has also been a first success in domestic competition: the "student derby" against Cluj in the Romanian Super Cup ended in a penalty shoot-out victory (2:1 pens).
Key numbers for Universitatea Craiova:
Universitatea Craiova have scored in all 4 matches, official and friendly, of the new season, which has guaranteed them at least a draw.
Both teams to score - Yes has landed in all 4 matches of the 2026/27 season.
The Blue and Whites have won 4 of their last 5 matches at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium.
Probable line-up (3-4-3): Popescu - Rus, Stevanovic, Romanchuk - Bancu, Mekvabishvili, Cicaldau, Teles - Baiaram, Al-Hamlawi, Etim.
Form and Line-up ML Vitebsk
The match in the first qualifying round of the Champions League was not ML Vitebsk's first of the season. The Belarusian championship is played on a spring-autumn calendar, so there is always weekly competitive practice. However, 13 goals in four recent domestic matches did not translate into similar productivity on the European stage. The Vitebsk side were second best to the Romanian team in all the main statistical areas in the home game.
Key numbers for ML Vitebsk:
Both teams to score - Yes has landed in ML Vitebsk's last 7 matches in all competitions.
Maxline have scored away from home in 6 straight games. All of them were played in Belarus.
The upcoming match will be ML Vitebsk's first away game in European competition.
Probable line-up (4-3-3): Pavlyuchenko - Skibskiy, Volkov, Gomanov, Moskalenchik - Gromyko, Bocherov, Mesarovic - Kontsevoy, Diabate, Bosic.
Match referee
Márton Rusz (Hungary)
Matches – 18 (international matches and the Hungarian Championship, 2025/26);
Average fouls per match – 30;
Average yellow cards per match (including second yellow cards) – 4.9;
Matches with a red card – 1 out of 18;
Matches with a penalty awarded – 6 out of 18.
