Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia prediction 29.07.2026 | UEFA Champions League Qualifiers
U Craiova
Kick off:
Date:
Levski Sofia
1
1.93
X
3.40
2
3.75
Contents
- Competition: UEFA Champions League Qualifiers
- Date: 29th July 2026
- Kick-off: 18:30 UK / 19:30 CEST
- Venue: Stadionul Ion Oblemenco
This Wednesday, Universitatea Craiova hosts Levski Sofia in a high-stakes Champions League second-leg qualifier. The Romanian hosts must overturn a 1–0 deficit after Kristian Dimitrov’s early strike sealed a narrow win for the Bulgarians in Sofia. Driven by a passionate home crowd, Craiova aims to break down a resilient visitor defense. Meanwhile, Levski Sofia lands in Romania looking to protect their slim aggregate advantage and secure passage to the next round. In this preview, we analyze key tactical matchups, team news, and the best betting value for this intense European clash.
U Craiova vs Levski Sofia Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Levski Sofia
1 : 0
U Craiova
Champions League
PFC Levski Sofia holds the upper hand over CS Universitatea Craiova with a 1–0 record. Because this is their first and only official meeting in European football, the average goals tally over their head-to-head history stands at a strict 1.0 goal per fixture.
Universitatea Craiova team overview
Universitatea Craiova enters this one on the back of a bruising 5–1 domestic defeat against FC Dinamo București. The White-Blues have hit a sudden rough patch, suffering consecutive losses after previously enjoying a twelve-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Filipe Coelho’s men will eagerly welcome a return to the Ion Oblemenco Stadium, where they boast a perfect six-match winning run.
Crucial to their hopes of overturning the aggregate deficit will be forward Steven Nsimba, who leads the team’s attacking line and netted their solitary goal during the weekend's heavy defeat.
On a positive note, the hosts face no continental disciplinary setbacks as defender Juraj Badelj remains fully eligible for selection, given that his recent domestic direct red card does not carry over to European competition.
Last matches of U Craiova
-
Dinamo Bucuresti
5 : 1
U Craiova
Superliga
-
Levski Sofia
1 : 0
U Craiova
Champions League
-
U Craiova
4 : 0
UTA Arad
Superliga
-
U Craiova
1 : 0
ML Vitebsk
Champions League
-
U Craiova
5 : 3
Universitatea Cluj
Super Cup
U Craiova lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Laurențiu Popescu
Defenders
-
2
Ștefan Vlădoiu
-
26
Gjoko Zajkov
-
15
Juraj Badelj
-
11
Nicușor Bancu
Midfielders
-
4
Alexandru Crețu
-
6
Takuto Oshima
-
10
Alexandru Mitriță
Forwards
-
17
Carlos Mora
-
9
Steven Nsimba
-
28
Lyes Houri
Levski Sofia team overview
Levski Sofia enters this one on the back of a hard-fought 2–1 away victory against FC Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia in their domestic league campaign. The Blues are currently enjoying a stellar, unbeaten start to their season, stringing together four consecutive victories across all competitions.
Julio Velázquez’s men will carry massive confidence into Romania as they boast a strong eight-match unbeaten streak on the road, including a crucial 1–1 continental draw in Banja Luka.
The key to their continued success is winger Reinaldo. He’s driving the team’s attack right now, picking up three goals this month after scoring against both Borac Banja Luka and Lokomotiv Sofia.
The good news for the visitors is that they’re heading into the match at full strength, ready to protect their lead.
Last matches of Levski Sofia
-
Lokomotiv Sofia 1929
1 : 2
Levski Sofia
First League
-
Levski Sofia
1 : 0
U Craiova
Champions League
-
Levski Sofia
2 : 1
Dunav 2010
First League
-
Levski Sofia
4 : 0
Borac Banja Luka
Champions League
-
Borac Banja Luka
1 : 1
Levski Sofia
Champions League
Levski Sofia lineup
Goalkeeper
-
44
Matej Marković
Defenders
-
3
Maicon
-
5
Kellian van der Kaap
-
50
Kristian Dimitrov
-
22
Patrick-Gabriel Chelba
Midfielders
-
8
Carlos Ohane
-
6
Wenderson Tsunami
-
11
Jawad El Jemili
Forwards
-
17
Everton Bala
-
77
Reinaldo
-
9
Aleksandar Kolev
Prediction
With their fans behind them, Universitatea Craiova has turned the Ion Oblemenco Stadium into a fortress. Three straight home clean sheets say a lot and they know how to keep opponents quiet here. The White-Blues are going to stay solid at the back and look for their chance, not rushing things against the Bulgarians. This feels like one of those tense, tactical games where nothing gives until someone finally finds a spark. In the end, a single goal could bring the aggregate level and pushes everything into extra time. 1-0 at home.
Three reasons we expect under 2.5 goals in this tie
- U Craiova won each of their last three home games without conceding.
- Three of the last four away games of Levski Sofia finished with under 2.5 goals.
- Three of the last five games of U Craiova finished with two or fewer goals.
Main prediction U Craiova - Levski Sofia
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
Melbet
1.80
