CFR will play host to Maccabi Petah Tikva at CFR Cluj Stadium in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday. The hosts will hope to finish the job after an impressive first leg.
CFR vs Maccabi Petah Tikva Preview
CFR won the first leg 1-0 against Maccabi Petah Tikva, who failed to make the most of their home advantage at Stadion Georgi Asparuhov. Croatian midfielder Karlo Muhar handed CFR the lead after nine minutes, with the Israeli side toiling in vain for an equalizer. The second leg will likely look like the first in terms of intensity.
Ceferiștii are in their fourth participation since the competition was launched in 2021-22. Their best record remains a knockout phase finish in 2022–23. CFR will enter the meeting on the back of two straight wins. They are fifth placed in the Romanian SuperLiga with seven points – four points from the top ahead of matchday six.
Maccabi Petah Tikva will hope for the best in this clash, as they will likely face an uphill battle playing away from home. In the first leg, they created multiple goal chances but CFR proved too tough to handle. With a one-goal deficit to crush, the visitors will face the dilemma of either pushing for goals or parking the bus to avoid a trainwreck.
MPT made a return to the European scene this term after 18 years of absence. They entered the Europa League in the second qualifying round but were bundled out by Portuguese side Braga 7-0 on aggregate. Petah Tikva were subsequently transferred to the Conference League. They will head into this clash on the back of a five-game losing streak.
CFR vs Maccabi Petah Tikva Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- CFR have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five matches at home.
- CFR have scored 11 goals and conceded five in their last five matches in all competitions.
- CFR have played 107 UEFA games, winning 37, drawing 23 and losing 45 while Petah Tikva boast 27, with eight wins, six draws and 13 defeats.
- Petah Tikva have won once, drawn once and lost thrice in their last five matches on the road.
- CFR have won thrice and lost twice in their last five matches while Petah Tikva have lost their last five matches. Form Guide: CFR – W-W-L-W-L, Petah Tikva – L-L-L-L-L.
CFR vs Maccabi Petah Tikva Prediction
CFR are upbeat about their success at home but must prevent the visitors from finding the back net, which would bring the situation to square one.
Maccabi Petah Tikva could find breaches, with CFR likely to push men forward but the visitors must avoid misfiring.
CFR are the favorites based on form and home advantage.
Prediction: CFR 3-1 Maccabi Petah Tikva
CFR vs Maccabi Petah Tikva Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – CFR to win
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals – Yes
Tip 3: CFR to score first – Yes
Tip 4: Maccabi Petah Tikva to score - Yes