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 tight first meeting in Sofia, this return fixture will decide who advances to the next phase of Europe’s premier club competition.

Levski Sofia hold a narrow advantage thanks to their 1-0 home win on 22 July 2026, but with no away goals rule in operation in many recent European campaigns, the Bulgarian side still have work to do. Universitatea Craiova have been strong at home in this Champions League run, while Levski have yet to concede on their own patch but have looked slightly more vulnerable away.

With both teams showing solid early “Recent Form” in UEFA Champions League qualifiers and Levski’s attacking threats like Reinaldo and A. Oko-Flex already on the scoresheet in this campaign, this looks set to be a finely balanced second leg where small margins and discipline could decide the outcome.

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia Key Stats

• Universitatea Craiova have 2 wins and 1 defeat from 3 Champions League fixtures this season, scoring 5 and conceding 2.
• The only previous head-to-head meeting came on 22 July 2026, when Levski Sofia beat Universitatea Craiova 1-0 at Vivacom Arena Georgi Asparuhov in the UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round.
• Levski Sofia have kept 2 clean sheets in 3 Champions League matches this campaign, conceding just 1 goal and scoring 6.

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia — Tale of the Tape

• Position: Not available vs Not available
• Points: Not available vs Not available
• Goals For: 5 vs 6 (across 3 Champions League matches each)
• Goals Against: 2 vs 1 (across 3 Champions League matches each)
• Clean Sheets: Universitatea Craiova 1; Levski Sofia 2 (tournament statistics)

Standings data for the current Champions League qualifying round are not provided, but the tournament statistics paint a clear picture. Universitatea Craiova have won 2 of their 3 fixtures, with a solid defensive record of just 2 goals conceded and 1 clean sheet. Their average of 1.7 goals scored per game suggests a capable attack, particularly away where they have netted 4 of their 5 goals.

Levski Sofia, meanwhile, have been even more efficient. Unbeaten in 3 Champions League outings (2 wins, 1 draw), they average 2.0 goals scored per match and just 0.3 conceded. Two home clean sheets and only a single goal allowed away indicate a balanced side with strong defensive organisation and the ability to strike decisively, especially in the second half of games.

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia Key Matchups

Universitatea Craiova attack vs Reinaldo

Universitatea Craiova’s goals are spread across the team in this qualifying campaign, with 5 scored in 3 matches and no individual from their squad listed among the top scorers. Their attacking profile shows they can score in multiple phases of the game, including a strong late surge with a significant share of goals coming in the 76–90 minute window.

For Levski, Reinaldo is the standout attacking figure. The Brazilian forward has scored 2 goals in 3 Champions League appearances, all from just 75 minutes of action, highlighting his efficiency. He has started all three matches and been substituted each time, suggesting he is used as a high-intensity front man whose movement and finishing can tilt tight matches. Containing Reinaldo will be crucial for Craiova if they are to overturn the first-leg deficit.

Universitatea Craiova midfield control vs A. Oko-Flex & Álex Centelles

Universitatea Craiova’s midfield will need to dictate tempo against a Levski side that have shown strong second-half scoring trends. While no Craiova midfielder appears in the top assists list, their ability to build attacks from a 3-4-3 base (their most used formation with 3 matches) suggests they rely on width and central overloads rather than a single creator.

On the other side, Levski have two notable contributors: A. Oko-Flex and Álex Centelles. Oko-Flex, operating from midfield, has 1 goal in 3 appearances (2 starts) over 68 minutes, offering a late-arriving threat from deeper areas. Centelles, a defender, has already provided 1 assist in 3 appearances, showing his importance in build-up and set-piece or crossing situations. Craiova’s wide midfielders and wing-backs must manage Centelles’ forward runs and Oko-Flex’s movement between the lines to prevent Levski from creating overloads and cut-backs.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These sides are unfamiliar foes on the European stage, with their current qualifying tie marking their first encounters. The opening leg in Sofia has set the tone for a tight, tactical battle.

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

Universitatea Craiova vs Levski Sofia Prediction

Stats suggest a finely balanced second leg. Universitatea Craiova have been strong overall in this Champions League run, with 2 wins from 3 and only 2 goals conceded. At home, they have a 1-0 victory and a clean sheet, indicating they can keep things tight in front of their own fans. Their scoring pattern shows they are capable of late goals, which could be vital if they are chasing the tie.

Levski Sofia, however, come in with the edge both in the tie and in underlying numbers. Their “Recent Form” in the competition is DWW, and they boast 6 goals scored and just 1 conceded across 3 matches. They have not lost yet in this campaign and have already shown they can handle Craiova’s threat by keeping a clean sheet in the first leg. The prediction model gives Universitatea Craiova only a 10% chance of victory, with both the draw and an away win rated at 45% each, underlining how much the market and analytics lean towards Levski avoiding defeat rather than Craiova turning things around.

With goal thresholds pointing towards a lower-scoring contest (advice combines Levski/draw with under 3.5 goals), this second leg is likely to be cagey. Craiova will need to push more than in Sofia, but Levski’s disciplined defence and efficient attack give them a slight edge over 90 minutes.

Predicted Score: Universitatea Craiova 1-1 Levski Sofia

Universitatea Craiova Recent Form

Universitatea Craiova’s recent Champions League form reads WWL. They opened their campaign with back-to-back wins, including a 1-0 home success and an impressive 4-1 away victory, before narrowly losing 1-0 away to Levski Sofia in the first leg of this tie. Across these 3 matches they have scored 5 goals (1.7 per game) and conceded just 2 (0.7 per game), with 1 clean sheet.

Levski Sofia Recent Form

Levski Sofia come into the second leg unbeaten in Champions League qualifiers with a DWW sequence. They started with a draw away, then recorded two convincing home wins, including a 4-0 victory and the recent 1-0 success over Craiova. Over 3 matches they have scored 6 goals (2.0 per game) and conceded only 1 (0.3 per game), with 2 clean sheets, underlining their strong balance between attack and defence.

Universitatea Craiova Possible Starting Lineup

GK: L. Popescu or P. Isenko; Defenders: O. Romanchuk, A. Rus, V. Screciu, N. Stevanović, A. Crețu; Midfielders: N. Bancu, T. Băluță, A. Mekvabishvili, Samuel Teles, Ș. Baiaram, M. Rădulescu; Forwards: A. Al Hamlawi, S. Elisor, M. Etim, S. Nsimba, C. Mora, D. Matei.

Craiova have typically lined up in a 3-4-3 during this Champions League campaign, using a back three built around defenders like O. Romanchuk, A. Rus and V. Screciu, with wing-backs such as N. Bancu and A. Crețu offering width. In attack, options like A. Al Hamlawi, S. Elisor and S. Nsimba provide different profiles, from target play to pace in behind. With no injuries reported, the coach can field a full-strength side and may opt for an aggressive, front-foot approach to overturn the first-leg deficit while maintaining the defensive solidity that has seen them concede only twice in 3 matches.

Levski Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

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

Levski have alternated between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 in their 3 Champions League fixtures, indicating tactical flexibility. Central defenders Maicon and N. Serafimov bring physicality and aerial strength, while Álex Centelles offers attacking thrust from full-back, already contributing 1 assist. In midfield, players like Serginho and E. El Moubarik can provide balance, with Oko-Flex adding goal threat from advanced positions. Up front, Reinaldo is the main danger with 2 goals, supported by options such as J. Perea and the experienced R. Kirilov. With no absentees listed, Levski should field a settled XI capable of defending their lead and exploiting spaces on the counter.

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. Predictions give Universitatea Craiova only a 10% chance of winning, with both the draw and an away win at 45% each. The market has Universitatea Craiova as slight favourites at home (home win odds between 2.28 and 2.30, implying roughly 43.5–43.9%), but analytics lean strongly towards Levski avoiding defeat. Backing draw or Levski covers the two most likely outcomes while opposing the relatively short home price.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. Across 6 combined Champions League matches, these sides have seen 14 goals (average 2.33 per game), and the first leg finished 1-0. The advice for this fixture explicitly combines a Levski/draw angle with under 3.5 goals, reflecting both teams’ strong defensive records (Craiova 0.7 conceded per game, Levski 0.3). While specific odds for goal lines are not provided, this market aligns closely with the tactical and statistical profile of the tie.
• Value Tip: Levski Sofia to score at least once (away team to score). Levski have scored in all 3 Champions League matches (6 goals total), with attacking contributors like Reinaldo (2 goals) and Oko-Flex (1 goal) in good early form and Álex Centelles already on the assist chart. Universitatea Craiova have conceded in 2 of their 3 games, and needing to chase the tie at home may open spaces for Levski on the break. With away win odds around 3.10 (implied probability about 32.3%), backing Levski simply to find the net should be available at a shorter but potentially still attractive price relative to their consistent scoring record.

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