Universitatea Craiova vs RB Leipzig Preview and Predictions

Aron Wright - August 13, 2018

Universitatea Craiova vs RB Leipzig
Europa League Qualifying – 3rd Round 2nd Leg
Date: Thursday, 16 August 2018
Kick-off at 17:30 UK/ 18:30 CET
Venue: Stadionul Ion Oblemenco (Craiova).

Universitatea Craiova vs RB Leipzig Analysis for Prediction

• There were no surprises in Germany last week with RB Leipzig putting on a show to grab a 3-1 win against Romanian minnows Universitatea Craiova.
• Craiova are only making their second appearance in Europe and they lost both games to AC Milan in their first attempt last season.
• RB Leipzig are an exciting side to watch and they reached the quarter finals of Europa League last season, after initially playing in the group stage of Champions League.
• We cannot look beyond anything less than another convincing win for the side from Leipzig in this second leg.

Universitatea Craiova vs RB Leipzig Betting Tips

• FT – RBL to win @ 2/5 (1.40) is the safe option.

• Brave Punters can bank on RBL -1.5 Asian Handicap for 6/5 (2.20) odds.

All Analysis and Tips for Second Leg Europa League fixtures compiled by Aron Wright. Below, you may find the preview for first leg of the corresponding tie.

RB Leipzig expectedly steamed past Swedish Hacken 5-1 at the start of the new European journey and they’ll be massive favourites to keep cruising towards the group phase of the competition over two legs with Romanian Universitatea Craiova.

The first one is scheduled for Thursday evening at Red Bull Arena where the Bulls could easily close the tie, pretty much like they did against Hacken, beating them 4-0 in the first game on the home patch.

The visitors should be in a somewhat better competitive form ahead of the tie as the Romanian Liga I started three weeks ago.

However, it will likely count for little, just as it did in the match against Hacken as the quality is definitely on Leipzig’s side here.

The Germans had an intriguing campaign in the previous term of Europa League when they reached the quarter-final (3-5 loss on aggregate to French Olympique Marseille).

Can they go one step forward this time about?

The Italian manager Devis Mangia has reasons to be worried ahead of his team’s first European game of the season.

Universitatea took only two points in three games at the start of the Liga I season, failing to find the back of the net in opening two fixtures against Politehnica Iasi and Sepsi.

RB Leipzig are way above the Romanian domestic football level and we can just hardly see the Craiova side improving such a poor record here.

Ralf Rangnick has a strong firepower on display up front even without the likes of Timo Werner and Yussuf Poulsen who both skipped the tie with Hacken.

Five different players got their names on the scoresheet in that match-up, including Bruma, Kampl, Matheus Cunha, Bruno and Augustin.

Universitatea Craiova vs RB Leipzig Head-to-head

The two teams did not play each other in the past.