Petrocub vs Egnatia Predictions
Petrocub and Egnatia meet in Chisinau on Wednesday as both clubs begin their Champions League qualifying campaigns.
The Moldovan hosts have made a strong start to their domestic title defence, and should have enough quality to claim a first-leg victory.
I have my money on Petrocub to win and over 2.5 goals.
Petrocub Backed in Chisinau
- Petrocub won 6 of their last 8 matches
- Petrocub have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 home matches
- Egnatia lost 7 of their last 13 matches
- Egnatia have seen over 2.5 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches
First Competitive H2H Meeting
Petrocub and Egnatia have not previously met in a competitive fixture.
Petrocub Make Strong Start
CS Petrocub return to Champions League qualifying after making a strong start to their Moldovan title defence. The Lions were in impressive form last time out, cruising to a 5-0 Super Liga win against Milsami.
Goals from Dan Puscas, Ion Jardan and Nicolae Rotaru secured a handsome win. Puscas struck twice in the first half, before Rotaru also bagged a brace late on.
Last weekend’s dominant victory came on the back of a 2-1 opening-day win against Dacia Buiucani.
The two-time Moldovan champions earned their place in this season’s Champions League after finishing four points clear of Sheriff last term.
The hosts have an excellent home record to rely on. Petrocub are unbeaten in their last 17 games at Hiincesti Municipal Stadium.
Egnatia Short of Rhythm
Egnatia arrive in Moldova having yet to begin their domestic season in Albania.
Nevil Dede’s side completed two pre-season friendlies in the past month, beating FC Botosani 3-1 after a 3-2 defeat against CSKA Sofia.
The Albanian champions finished last season in mixed form, despite claiming their third successive league title.
Dede’s men won their final three matches to edge the title race on goal difference, having lost five of their previous six league fixtures.
Competing in the Champions League qualifiers for only the third time, Egnatia suffered a 5-0 defeat at Breidablik in their last away fixture in the competition.
Petrocub vs Egnatia Team News
Petrocub Hincesti: (4-4-2) Cristian Avram; Catalin Cucos, Mihai Platica, Ion Bors, Ion Jardan; Ovidiu David, Jessie Guera Djou, Victor Bogaciuc, Mihai Lupan; Dan Puscas, Petru Popescu
Petrocub boss Andrei Martin is expected to keep faith with much of the side that eased past Milsami last weekend.
Dan Puscas has made a superb start to the season, scoring three goals in two appearances, and should lead the attack alongside Petru Popescu.
The hosts have added several new faces this summer, with Ion Botnari, Cristian Avram, Maxim Iosipoi and Mihail Platica among those available for selection.
Egnatia: (4-3-3) Levan Tandilashvili; Geralb Smajli, Eneo Bitri, Eljon Sota, Andrey Yago; Fernando Medeiros, Alessandro Albanese, Albano Aleksi; Afonso Rodrigues, Daniel Adjessa, Ildi Gruda
Egnatia head coach Nevil Dede has no reported injury issues ahead of the trip to Chisinau.
Summer recruits Afonso Rodrigues and Levan Tandilashvili could feature.
Alessandro Albanese is expected to feature in the heart of the Egnatia midfield.