Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Universitatea Craiova welcome Levski Sofia to Stadionul Ion Oblemenco in Craiova on 29 July 2026 for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round tie. After a narrow 1-0 defeat in Sofia on 22 July, the Romanian side must overturn a one-goal deficit in front of their home fans to keep their Champions League dream alive.

Levski Sofia arrive in a strong position after that first-leg win at Vivacom Arena Georgi Asparuhov, extending an unbeaten run in this qualifying campaign. With six goals scored and just one conceded across three matches, the Bulgarian club look well-balanced and difficult to break down. Universitatea Craiova, however, have been competitive in Europe so far, winning two of their three games and conceding only twice.

With progression to the next qualifying round at stake, this clash should be tense and tactical. Universitatea must find a way past a defence that has already kept two clean sheets, while Levski will try to manage the game, protect their advantage, and exploit spaces on the counter through their in-form attackers.

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia Key Stats

• Universitatea Craiova have 2 wins and 1 defeat from 3 UEFA Champions League qualifiers this season, scoring 5 and conceding 2.
• The only previous meeting between these sides came on 22 July 2026, when Levski Sofia won 1-0 at home in the first leg of this tie.
• Levski Sofia have scored 6 goals and conceded just 1 in 3 Champions League qualifiers, with 2 clean sheets in that run.

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia — Tale of the Tape

• Position: Not applicable (qualifying round, no group standings available)
• Points: Not applicable (knockout qualifying tie)
• Goals For: Universitatea Craiova 5 vs Levski Sofia 6 (2026 Champions League qualifiers)
• Goals Against: Universitatea Craiova 2 vs Levski Sofia 1
• Clean Sheets: Universitatea Craiova 1 vs Levski Sofia 2 (tournament statistics)

Across three Champions League qualifiers, Universitatea Craiova have been solid but slightly inconsistent. They have 2 wins and 1 defeat, with an average of 1.7 goals scored and 0.7 conceded per game. At home they have been tight defensively, with 1 goal scored and none conceded in their sole home qualifier so far.

Levski Sofia’s profile is even more impressive: unbeaten in three (2 wins, 1 draw), averaging 2.0 goals scored and just 0.3 conceded. All five of their home goals have come without reply, while their only goal conceded was away from home. They also boast 2 clean sheets to Universitatea’s 1, underlining a slight defensive edge. In a tie decided over 180 minutes, that defensive reliability and the 1-0 first-leg cushion give Levski a clear statistical advantage.

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia Key Matchups

Reinaldo vs Universitatea Craiova defence

Reinaldo has been one of the standout forwards in this Champions League qualifying campaign. For Levski Sofia, he has made 3 appearances, all from the start, playing 75 minutes in total and scoring 2 goals. Even in relatively limited minutes, that strike rate makes him the leading scorer listed for this competition. With no Universitatea Craiova player among the top scorers, the home defence will have to pay particular attention to his movement in and around the box. His ability to find space and finish efficiently could be decisive if Levski get counter-attacking opportunities while protecting their aggregate lead.

Álex Centelles vs Universitatea Craiova wide players

Álex Centelles has emerged as an important two-way presence for Levski Sofia. The Spanish defender has 3 appearances (1 start, 2 substitute outings) and 69 minutes, contributing 1 assist in the process. As a defender with attacking output, he can influence both phases of play: providing width and delivery going forward while also needing to contain Universitatea’s wide threats. If he continues to combine solid defensive work with occasional forays that produce chances, he can tilt the territorial battle in Levski’s favour and help them control the tempo of the second leg.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These clubs have only just crossed paths on the European stage, with the first leg in Sofia setting the tone for this tie. That match gives us the only direct reference point ahead of the return fixture in Craiova.

• 22 July 2026: Levski Sofia 1-0 Universitatea Craiova (UEFA Champions League)

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia Prediction

Stats suggest a finely poised second leg. Universitatea Craiova have been strong at home and generally solid at the back, but they now must chase the game after a 1-0 defeat in Sofia. Their attacking numbers are respectable, with 5 goals in 3 qualifiers and goals spread across different time windows, including a notable share late in matches. That hints at the capacity to rally in front of their own fans.

Levski Sofia, however, look marginally stronger across most metrics. Their recent form in this competition reads DWW, with 6 goals scored and just 1 conceded. They have not lost in three qualifiers and have yet to fail to score. The prediction model leans clearly towards the visitors avoiding defeat, giving Universitatea Craiova only a 10% chance to win in 90 minutes, with 45% for the draw and 45% for a Levski Sofia victory. With no reliable goals projection (only under-goals thresholds are provided), a tight, low-scoring encounter is expected, especially given Levski’s defensive record and the advice favouring a combination of “draw or Levski Sofia” and under 3.5 goals.

Predicted Score: Universitatea Craiova 0-1 Levski Sofia

Universitatea Craiova Recent Form

Universitatea Craiova’s recent Champions League qualifying form stands at 2 wins and 1 defeat from 3 matches, corresponding to a form line of WWL. They have shown an ability to string wins together, including a 1-0 home victory and an impressive 4-1 away win, but the away loss in Sofia highlighted their vulnerability when stepping up against a well-organised opponent. Overall, they average 1.7 goals scored and 0.7 conceded per match in this campaign.

Levski Sofia Recent Form

Levski Sofia come into the second leg unbeaten in three qualifiers, with a form line of DWW. They opened with a draw away from home and then produced two convincing home wins, including the 1-0 first-leg success over Universitatea Craiova and a 4-0 home victory earlier in the round. Their average of 2.0 goals scored and 0.3 conceded per game reflects a side that is both potent in attack and extremely disciplined defensively.

Universitatea Craiova Possible Starting Lineup

Key players available for Universitatea Craiova include:

Goalkeepers: L. Popescu, P. Isenko, R. Sava, A. Maxim, M. Goga, A. Glodean
Defenders: O. Romanchuk, A. Rus, V. Screciu, N. Stevanović, R. Webster, Darius Gabriel Fălcușan, A. Crețu, J. Badelj
Midfielders: N. Bancu, T. Băluță, L. Băsceanu, A. Cicâldău, A. Mekvabishvili, D. Muntean, Samuel Teles, Ș. Baiaram, Heriberto Tavares, M. Rădulescu
Forwards: A. Al Hamlawi, S. Elisor, M. Etim, C. Mora, S. Nsimba, D. Matei

Universitatea have typically lined up in a 3-4-3 during this qualifying campaign, and that shape is likely again as they seek to overturn the deficit. The presence of multiple attacking options such as S. Nsimba, S. Elisor and A. Al Hamlawi gives the coach flexibility to adjust between a more aggressive front three or a slightly more balanced setup. Defensively, experienced figures like A. Rus and V. Screciu will be crucial in maintaining stability while the team pushes forward in search of goals.

Levski Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

Levski Sofia’s squad for this tie features:

Goalkeepers: M. Lukov, S. Vutsov, O. Vladimirov
Defenders: Álex Centelles, K. Dimitrov, O. Kamdem, Maicon, C. Makoun, Aldair, N. Serafimov, S. Vulikić
Midfielders: A. Bouras, A. Mitkov, E. El Moubarik, Serginho, M. Soula, G. Trdin, Everton Bala, David Kusso, A. Oko-Flex, A. Raychev
Forwards: R. Kirilov, I. Motev, J. Perea, Reinaldo, M. Sangaré, S. Stoyanchov

Levski have alternated between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 in their three qualifiers so far, suggesting tactical flexibility. With a lead to protect, a compact back four anchored by centre-backs like Maicon and N. Serafimov, both already on the disciplinary radar with yellow cards, is likely. Going forward, the attacking trio of Reinaldo, A. Oko-Flex and J. Perea has combined for 4 goals, offering pace and finishing that can punish Universitatea if they overcommit.

Universitatea Craiova Team News

No significant absences reported.

Levski Sofia Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Universitatea Craiova:

• None reported.

Levski Sofia:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Double chance – Draw or Levski Sofia. The prediction model gives Universitatea Craiova just a 10% chance of winning in 90 minutes, with 45% each for the draw and an away win. Levski are unbeaten in three qualifiers (DWW) and have conceded only once. Match Winner odds range around 2.28–2.30 for Universitatea, 3.45 for the draw and 3.10 for Levski, implying the market sees the home side as slight favourites, but the underlying form and defensive numbers support siding with the visitors not to lose.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 goals. Both teams’ qualifiers have generally been low to medium scoring, and the advice explicitly points to “draw or Levski Sofia and -3.5 goals”. Universitatea average 1.7 goals for and 0.7 against, while Levski average 2.0 for and 0.3 against, with 3 clean sheets combined in 6 team matches. The tight first leg (1-0) also supports a cautious second leg rather than a shootout.
• Value Tip: Levski Sofia to score at least one goal. Levski have scored in all three qualifiers and never failed to score in this campaign, with 6 goals shared between Reinaldo (2), A. Oko-Flex (1) and J. Perea (1) plus other contributors. Universitatea have conceded in 2 of their 3 matches. With Levski priced as underdogs in the Match Winner market (around 3.10), any goal-related markets favouring the Bulgarian side to find the net could offer value relative to their attacking consistency.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.