ML Vitebsk will surely be very motivated in their premiere appearance in the UCL, while a majority of their recent games were full of action and goals. The Romanian champions had zero clean sheets in recent friendlies, so BTTS looks like a good selection.
Key Stats
- ML Vitebsk have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in their last 6 matches.
- Universitatea Craiova have seen BTTS in their last 2 matches.
No Previous Meetings
This is going to be the first head to head match between ML Vitebsk and Universitatea Craiova.
Hosts Under New Leadership
ML Vitebsk secured their first ever title in the Belarusian top flight last season, finishing five points ahead Dinamo Minsk mostly thanks to great defensive numbers (allowed just 18 goals in 30 matches).
They are also having a solid start to the new campaign, winning 9 out of 14 matches so far but decided to part ways with manager Magomed Adiev and appoint Filipp Sokolinskiy in mid June.
ML Vitebsk were victorious on both occasions under new leadership, beating Naftan 2-1 at home and most recently Slavia Mozyr 4-2 as visitors.
Craiova Won Two Trophies Last Season
Universitatea Craiova became the Romanian champions last season for the first time since 1991, which is their fifth domestic title, finishing four points ahead of Universitatea Cluj.
They were also victorious in the Romanian Cup finals, beating the same opponent after a penalty shootout (0-0 in regular time).
Universitatea Craiova played two test games ahead of the Champions League qualifiers, registering a 1-1 draw against Sabah Baku and a 4-3 victory against Polissya Zhytomyr.
Team News
Midfielder Aleksey Nosko is injured for the hosts while rest of the squad remains available. Artem Kontsevoy is their top performer this season with five goals and three assists.
Reserve goalkeeper Pavlo Isenko is injured, while winger Alexandru Iamandache is doubtful due to a knee problem. Craiova’s biggest acquisition during the summer was goalkeeper Razvan Sava from Udinese.