Levski Sofia already have one foot in the next round after that 1-0 win in the first leg. The Bulgarian side look set to make it through unless Universitatea Craiova pull off something special at home on July 29.
Craiova responded with a thumping 5-1 domestic win over Dinamo București just days earlier, but the Champions League qualifier is a different beast. They need goals and they need them without key players like Pavlo Isenko, who remains out with a long-term meniscus issue until December 2026.
Levski have their own injury worries. Stipe Vulikic and Mustapha Sangaré both miss out, yet the team still managed a 4-0 thrashing of Borac Banja Luka in the previous qualifier round. That kind of scoring form gives them real confidence heading to Romania.
The possible lineups show Craiova in a 3-4-3 shape with Baiaram and Bancu expected to lead the attack. Levski line up 4-4-2 featuring Reinaldo and Oko-Flex up top. Those names have been central in recent previews for a reason.
And Craiova cannot afford another blank like the first leg. Levski's defence held firm then and with the aggregate lead they can sit deeper if needed. But the visitors have also shown they can score away, as the 2-1 domestic result against Dunav Ruse proved.
Expect Craiova to push forward early. Anything less than two goals and they are probably done. Levski know how to close out ties after their clean sheets in Europe so far this season.
The tie sits on a knife edge for the hosts. One mistake and the 1-0 deficit becomes insurmountable.
Recommended Bets
Levski Sofia to win the tie @1.85 — they lead 1-0 after the first leg and have kept clean sheets in recent qualifiers
Under 2.5 goals @1.95 — Craiova need to score but Levski's defensive record in Europe suggests a low-scoring second leg
Levski Sofia -0.5 Asian handicap @2.05 — the away side have better recent European results and should edge the match itself
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
