Alex MacQuoid
CFR Cluj host Tromso at the Dr. Constantin Rădulescu stadium in Cluj-Napoca in the UEFA Conference League 2026/27 Third Qualifying Round first leg. The Romanian side enters as a slight underdog on paper according to the bookmakers, which is a curious position for a team playing at home in European football — and one that tells you something about how inconsistent António Folha’s squad has been lately. Tromso arrive riding a 60% win rate over the last 30 days, but their recent European exposure against Hradec Kralove raised questions: they won the first leg 1-0 before losing the second 3-1, which shows a fragility under pressure they haven’t fully resolved.
Two players to watch closely. Andrei Cordea leads CFR Cluj’s attack with three goals in the last five matches, and his directness from the right channel has caused problems for defenses that press high. For Tromso, Heine Asen Larsen is the standout — five goals in five games, a relentless presence in midfield transitions who has been the engine of everything good Tromso have done going forward.
Hot stat: Tromso have scored 15 goals across their last five matches, averaging three per game. That’s a number that demands respect from any defensive setup, regardless of the occasion.
| 🏆 Tournament: | UEFA Conference League 2026/27 – Third Qualifying Round |
| 🏟 Venue: | Dr. Constantin Rădulescu, Cluj-Napoca |
| 🗓️ Date: | 06.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 18:30 CEST |
CFR Cluj vs Tromso Prediction
The bookmakers have flipped the expected script here, making Tromso a marginal favorite despite CFR Cluj playing at home. We think that’s a reflection of Cluj’s dip in form — they’ve won just three of their last nine matches, picking up four draws and two losses along the way. Their 1-3 defeat to Rapid Bucuresti just days ago is a genuine red flag heading into a European qualifier. Tromso, by contrast, have been on a sharper run domestically, and their attacking numbers are hard to ignore.
Still, Tromso’s own inconsistency in European competition complicates things. The Hradec Kralove tie — a team ranked far below Tromso in world club standings — showed they can implode when the pressure shifts. Cluj at home, even in patchy form, is a different animal from a Czech second-division outfit. The tie feels genuinely open, and we lean toward a match where both teams find the net.
CFR Cluj commit 32 fouls across five matches with eight yellow cards, while Tromso rack up 37 fouls and only four yellows — the Norwegian side plays physically but somehow escapes the referee’s notebook. Cluj’s 87 total shots versus Tromso’s 67 suggests Cluj generate more volume, but Tromso are far more efficient in front of goal. Pass accuracy is similar for both sides in raw numbers, though Cluj’s 1,493 accurate passes versus Tromso’s 1,242 hints at a team that wants to control tempo rather than chase the game. That could matter in a first leg where Cluj need a result to take to Norway.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Both Teams to Score in the First Half |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
CFR Cluj’s recent five-match run is a mixed bag that leans more toward frustration than confidence. They hammered Voluntari 5-0 and beat Alashkert 3-0 in the Conference League second qualifying round, which looked convincing on paper. The Alashkert tie was also managed through a 1-1 draw in the first leg before Cluj closed it out, showing some composure. But the 1-2 loss to Otelul — a domestic side with a lower ranking — and then a 1-3 collapse against Rapid Bucuresti just before this match suggest the squad is not in a settled state. Stefan Dražić’s three goals in three appearances is an interesting subplot; he’s been sharp when used but hasn’t nailed down a starting spot. Andrei Cordea’s consistency across all five matches makes him the most reliable attacking outlet Folha has right now.
Tromso arrive in Cluj with serious momentum in the goals column. Their 6-2 demolition of Aalesund in their most recent match is the kind of scoreline that distorts perception a little — Aalesund are not a strong side — but the underlying numbers are still impressive. Heine Asen Larsen bagged five goals in five games, Alexander Warneryd has two goals and two assists, and Jens Hjerto Dahl added two goals of his own. The squad has genuine depth in attacking output. The Hradec Kralove European tie, though, is the cautionary tale: Tromso lost the second leg 3-1 after winning the first 1-0, which means they scraped through on aggregate. That kind of second-leg vulnerability is worth noting for anyone thinking about the tie as a whole. Coach Jørgen Vik will know his side needs to protect better in transitions, something they’ve struggled with when opponents commit to pressing them high.
🚨Check out our dedicated CFR Cluj vs Tromso stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Tromso the Favourite
- Moneyline CFR Cluj 2.68 | Tromso 2.45
- Draw 3.25
The odds market is tight, with Tromso priced as a slim favorite despite being the away side. Megapari offer the best value on Cluj at 2.79, while Tromso’s best price sits around 2.60 with the same book. The draw at 3.35 is the longest shot in this market, which makes sense given both teams’ attacking output recently — a stalemate feels like the least likely outcome when you look at the combined 26 goals these two sides have scored in their last five matches each. Honestly, the draw at 3.25-3.35 might be the one price that offers genuine value if you think Cluj can hold their own at home without necessarily winning the tie outright.
Possible Starting Lineups
CFR Cluj Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Octavian Valceanu
- DF: Mário Camora, Aly Abeid, Damjan Đoković, Christopher Braun
- MF: Karlo Muhar, Alin Razvan Fica, Alexandru Păun
- FW: Andrei Cordea, Stefan Dražić, Meriton Korenica
Octavian Valceanu has been the first-choice keeper across all five recent matches and keeps his place. The back four picks itself — Camora, Abeid, Đoković, and Braun have all been regulars, with Abeid’s one yellow card worth monitoring given the physical nature of what Tromso will bring. Karlo Muhar and Alin Razvan Fica provide the engine in midfield, both with goals and assists to their names recently. Up front, Andrei Cordea is the key man — three goals in five games, and the most consistent attacking threat Cluj possess. Stefan Dražić comes in off the bench in some matches but his three-goal return in limited appearances makes a strong case for a starting role here. CFR Cluj will likely set up in their familiar 4-3-3 shape, looking to control possession and spring Cordea in behind on the counter.
Tromso Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Jakob Haugaard
- DF: Vetle Skjaervik, Isak Vadebu, Mathias Tønnessen, Leo Cornic
- MF: David Edvardsson, Ruben Jenssen, Alexander Warneryd
- FW: Heine Asen Larsen, Troy Engseth Nyhammer, Jens Hjerto Dahl
Jakob Haugaard starts in goal with six saves across five matches. Vetle Skjaervik is a constant presence at right back, completing 215 passes — the highest among outfield players — and contributing one assist. David Edvardsson’s three yellow cards in five games is a concern in a European context where referees tend to be quicker with the card; he’s a booking risk but too important to leave out given his two goals and two assists. Heine Asen Larsen is the obvious focal point — five goals, one assist, and 10 shots in five games. Tromso’s 4-3-3 mirrors Cluj’s shape, which sets up an interesting midfield battle where physicality and pressing will likely decide who gets on the front foot. Warneryd’s creativity from deeper positions gives Tromso an extra dimension that Cluj’s midfield will need to account for.
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Tromso. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
This is a genuinely difficult first leg to call with conviction, and we think the honest answer is that the tie is closer than the venue suggests. CFR Cluj’s home record matters, but their 1-3 loss to Rapid Bucuresti just before this match is not the kind of preparation that instills confidence. Tromso’s 6-2 win over Aalesund was eye-catching, though Aalesund’s own poor form makes it a somewhat inflated benchmark.
We lean toward both teams scoring — Tromso’s attack is too potent to be completely shut out, and CFR Cluj have enough quality in Cordea and Dražić to threaten going forward. The 37 fouls Tromso commit in five matches suggests a game that could get scrappy in the middle third, which might suit Cluj’s more possession-oriented approach. Over 2.5 goals feels well-supported by the data, and the corner market — CFR Cluj averaging 8.4 corners per game across their last five — points to over 8.5 corners as a solid secondary angle. We’d back CFR Cluj to avoid defeat at home, maybe a 2-1 or 2-2, but the draw at 3.25+ deserves serious consideration for anyone looking for value in what is shaping up as a tight, competitive European qualifier.
