Romanian side Steaua Bicaresti take on Lugano in the Europa League next week, with the home side having already confirmed their place in the draw for the knockout stage of the competition thanks to their results in Group G to date. However, with their opponents still clinging on to a narrow hope of joining them in the draw, it could be a close encounter in the Romanian capital.
Europa League – National Arena, Bucharest – Thursday 7th December – 20:05 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 4 at PaddyPower |
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Steaua Bucaresti
AC LuganoMatch Preview
Despite having already qualified for the knockout phase of the competition, Steaua will be looking to ensure that they go through as group winners when they take on Swiss side Lugano at the National Arena next Thursday. Having already defeated Lugano earlier on in the campaign away from home, Steaua are the firm favourites for victory next week. However, with their opponents Lugano still having plenty to play for themselves, it is by no means a foregone conclusion. For those still unsure of who to back, be sure to check out our top betting tip below. However, let’s first take a closer look at the two teams, starting with the home side.
Steaua Bucaresti Team News & Form
The home side come into this match off the back of a disappointing defeat against Astra Giurgiu over the weekend, leaving them second in the Liga 1 standings, five points behind the league leaders. Having also lost against Viktoria Plzen in Europe last week, the Romanian side are certainly not in the best of form. However, with the likes of Harlem Gnohéré, Lucian Filip and Constantin Budescu in their ranks, manager Nicolae Dica will be hoping that his side can return to winning ways next week. Steaua have scored eight goals from their five Group G matches to date, as well as conceding five in the process.
Lugano Team News & Form
Lugano lost out to Swiss league leaders Young Boys at home over the weekend, leaving them eighth in the standings, in what has been a disappointing domestically for manager Pierluigi Tami and his players. However, a 1-0 win over Hapoel Beer Sheva last week in the Europa League means that they still hold a small hope of qualifying for the next stage of the competition. The visitors require a convincing victory in Romania, with the emphasis on the likes of Davide Mariana, Carlinhos and Younes Marzouk to bring their A game.
Head to Head
Steaua’s 2-1 win over Lugano in Switzerland earlier on in the season was the first ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, meaning that few conclusions can be made surrounding their head-to-head record.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Given their status as the home team next week and their performances in the competition so far, it comes as little surprise that it is Steaua who are the favourites for victory with the majority of bookmakers. Those looking to back the home side for the win for can take advantage of odds of 4/9 from Ladbrokes, while Lugano are priced at 7 from Skybet.
Top Betting Tip
However, our top betting tip for the match is to bet on both teams to score during the 90 minutes, which is available at odds of 4/5 with Ladbrokes.