Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova Prediction: 22 July 2026 UEFA Champions League

Two clubs from Eastern European football meet in Sofia for a place in the next stage of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27. Levski Sofia, one of Bulgaria’s most storied clubs, hosts Universitatea Craiova in what is a genuinely competitive tie. Both sides carry identical season-long records of 18 wins in 31 matches, making this a near-perfect clash of equals on paper. The key difference may come down to home advantage and Craiova’s noticeably sharper attacking output over their last five games.

Two players stand out heading into this fixture. For Levski, forward Reinaldo Nascimento Satorno has scored twice across his last two appearances and looks dangerous in the final third. For Craiova, Stefan Baiaram has contributed two goals and one assist in four recent outings and brings consistent creativity from midfield.

Hot stat: Universitatea Craiova have scored 10 goals across their last five matches, averaging two per game, while also registering 64 total shots and 25 corner kicks in that same span.

Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova Prediction

Levski Sofia enter this match as marginal favorites according to the bookmakers, with an average win probability of 46%. Their home record and recent form back that up to an extent, with five wins and no losses in their last seven outings. Craiova, though, have been prolific on the road and carry real attacking threat into this leg.

We predict the most value lies in backing both teams to score. Levski have found the net regularly at home and Craiova’s attack has been clicking in a major way lately. A match total of over 2.5 goals also looks well-supported given that Craiova scored four goals in their most recent league outing and Levski put five past Radnik not long before that.

Craiova commit fouls at a moderate rate across their squad, with players like Carlos Mora, Samuel Teles, and Anzor Mekvabishvili each picking up yellow cards in recent matches. They also carry 10 yellow cards across their last five games as a team. Levski’s data is more limited in this area, but their 3-4-3 shape tends to invite pressure and transition-based defending, which can produce contact. Craiova’s 4-2-3-1 setup typically controls possession and creates through combinations, which means Levski will need to stay disciplined at the back to avoid conceding in transition.

Corners are worth watching too. Craiova have racked up 25 corners in five matches, averaging five per game, and that rate is unlikely to drop sharply against a Levski side that defends with a back three.

Team Analysis

Levski Sofia arrive at this Champions League qualifier off the back of five wins in their last seven matches, with zero defeats in that stretch. Their most recent competitive outing was a 2-1 win over Dunav Ruse, a result that showed they can grind out results against domestic opposition. Before that, they demolished Radnik 5-0, which highlighted the attacking depth in Julio Velázquez’s squad. The 4-0 win over Borac Banja Luka in European competition also gave them confidence heading into this round. Their form across the last 30 days reads as one of the stronger records in this qualifying stage.

Universitatea Craiova have been in equally strong shape, going unbeaten in six matches with four wins and two draws over the last 30 days. Their last match was a commanding 4-0 victory over UTA Arad, which followed a 1-0 win over Maxline and a 4-1 defeat of the same opposition in European qualifying. Filipe Coelho’s side has real balance across the squad, with contributions coming from multiple positions. Aime Steven Nsimba Labe leads their recent attackers with two goals in four appearances, while Assad Al Islam Al Hamlawi has also scored twice from limited minutes. The depth in their forward line gives them genuine options off the bench.

🚨Check out our dedicated Levski Sofia vs Universitatea Craiova stats page for more info.

Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Levski Sofia the Favourite

• Moneyline Levski Sofia 2.03 | Universitatea Craiova 3.65
• Draw 3.17
• Over/Under Over 2.5 — | Under 2.5 —
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes — | No —

The odds reflect a moderate home advantage for Levski Sofia, but the gap between them and Craiova is not large. Craiova at around 3.65 represents decent value given their recent goalscoring form and the quality they carry in midfield. The draw at 3.17 is a realistic outcome given both teams’ tendencies to control games, though Craiova’s attacking output makes a clean sheet for either side unlikely. We lean toward the match producing goals at both ends, which makes the BTTS market the most appealing angle here.

Possible Starting Lineups

Levski Sofia Possible Starting Eleven

Levski have been lining up in a 3-4-3 shape in recent matches, and Julio Velázquez is expected to stick with it here. Svetoslav Vutsov starts in goal, with a back three built around Maicon Araújo dos Santos, Wabo Oliver Kamdem, and Kristian Dimitrov. Reinaldo Nascimento Satorno is the most dangerous name in the forward line based on recent output, having scored twice in his last two appearances. Álex Centelles, who contributed an assist recently, operates as a wing-back and can threaten in the final third. Juan Esteban Perea Sanchez is another forward to watch, having also found the net in this recent stretch.

Universitatea Craiova Possible Starting Eleven

Craiova set up in a 4-2-3-1 under Filipe Coelho, with Laurenţiu Popescu as the regular starter in goal across four recent appearances. The back four is anchored by Adrian Rus and Nikola Stevanović, both of whom have been consistent. Stefan Baiaram is the player to watch in the attacking midfield zone, combining goals and assists with a high work rate. Aime Steven Nsimba Labe leads the line and has been sharp in front of goal, with two strikes and seven total shots in four outings. Nicușor Bancu, who has chipped in with a goal from midfield, adds an extra dimension going forward.

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TipsGG Match Prediction

This is a close tie, and the first leg at Vivacom Arena could go either way. Levski Sofia’s home form is solid and their unbeaten run over the last month gives them confidence, but Universitatea Craiova have simply been more productive in front of goal. Their 10 goals in five matches, 64 shots, and 25 corners tell a story of a side that creates consistently and converts at a good rate.

We predict a match that sees both teams score, with Craiova’s attacking depth giving them a strong chance of netting at least once even away from home. Levski will look to use their 3-4-3 to press high and catch Craiova on the counter, which could produce an open, end-to-end match. To be honest, the over 2.5 goals market looks like the most grounded bet here, with both teams to score as a close second. A narrow Levski win by a scoreline of 2-1 is our preferred outcome, though Craiova pulling off a draw or a win would not be a surprise given the quality they have shown lately.

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