CFR Cluj vs Slavia Praha 21/08/19

21 August 2019

CFR Cluj welcome Slavia Praha to the Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu for their first-ever competitive meeting, as the two sides battle it out for the Champions League (CL) group stage. While the visitors’ last appearance in the CL group stage dates back to 2012, the visitors have reached the group phase of the most prestigious club competition only once in their respective history, in 2007/08.

The hosts have defied the odds in the previous qualifying round by dumping out the Scottish giants Celtic, 5-4 on aggregate. Although they go into this fixture off the back of a 1-1 away draw with domestic rivals, Sepsi, Feroviarii are now unbeaten in their last 11 games across all competitions (W7, D4). Four of those wins have arrived at home, with three of them seeing Cluj beat their rivals to nil. Although they’ve pulled off just five wins in their last 18 European matches (W6, D4, L8), three have come in the ongoing qualifiers, with two of them arriving at home. Also, four of Cluj’s six European outings this term have seen both teams score with three of them featuring over 3.5 goals.

Meanwhile, hopeful that they can build on a remarkable Europa League campaign last season, the visitors travel here on an impressive 14-game unbeaten run across all competitions (W11, D3). Notably, the reigning Czech First League holders have conceded just one goal in six competitive outings this term (W5, D1), with three of those wins ending with the same 1-0 scoreline. Interestingly, the Red and Whites are unbeaten in their last six H2Hs with Romanian sides (W2, D4), with all three of their previous visits to Romania ending with the same 1-1 scoreline. But, the Czech giants have clinched just one triumph in their last 15 CL matches (W1, D7, L7), which might be a major influence here.