Will Astana defend the lead from the first leg? Let’s find out together in our betting prediction CFR Cluj vs Astana!

The first teams have already this week to bury the dream of the premier class. The second leg matches in the first qualifying round are on the program. During the championship, there will be a duel between two teams that have been represented in the group stage of the premier class in the past. We are talking about the duel between Romanian champions CFR Cluj and FC Astana from Kazakhstan.

Football Betting Prediction CFR Cluj vs Astana

The Romanian titleholder was allowed to breathe royal class air in the season 2008/09. The Champions League participation of FC Astana is not so long ago, in the season 2015/16, the Kazakhs were represented in the million-league. After the first leg Astana has the nose in front and goes with a 1-0 lead in the second leg. An away goal would push the door wide towards the second round. CFC Cluj against Astana is relatively clear favorite among bookmakers, according to current odds.

CFR Cluj – Statistics & Current Form

A lot has happened since the Romanians’ last CL participation. The fivefold champions also had years and years, in which the team fell short of miles behind expectations. For example, in 2015/16 Cluj was only ninth in Romania, but since then the curve has been rising steeply. After fourth place, in each of the last two years, the title win was celebrated.

The past season was extremely chaotic despite the successful title defense. For the first time in club history, the successful defense of the title, while sitting no less than four different coaches on the bench. Meanwhile, Dan Petrescu is again working as head coach, who had already coached Cluj in the 2017/18 season, but then in the meantime under contract in China and since the end of March now back to the old workplace.

Compared to last season, Cluj was able to selectively strengthen on paper. In addition, the key players could be kept and tends to Cluj should be classified a little stronger than last year. The Romanian championship started last weekend. However, the defending champion had to content himself with a 1-1 draw in a duel with FC Poli Iasi. When looking at the lineup, however, it was clear that the focus was clearly on Astana. Several changes were made.

Hope gives Cluj home strength because on the way to the title last year, there was only one home defeat. However, peat festivals are not to be expected, because in 13 home games there were only 29 goals to see. As the guests from Kazakhstan are expected defensively, between CFR Cluj and Astana also a tip on the under 2.5 quite an interesting option.

Expected formation of CFR Cluj:
➤ Arlauskis – Camora, Burca, Paulo Vinicius, Susic – Culio, Hoban, Bordelanu – Paun, Omrani, Deac

Last matches of CFR Cluj:

⚽️ 13.07.2019 – CFR Cluj vs.. CSMS Iasi 1: 1 (League I)
⚽️ 09.07.2019 – Astana vs. CFR Cluj 1-0 (Champions League)
⚽️ 06.07.2019 – CFR Cluj vs.. Viitorul Constanta 0: 1 (Super Cup)
⚽️ 29.06.2019 – CFR Cluj vs.. Sparta Prague 1: 0 (friendly)
⚽️ 28.06.2019 – CFR Cluj vs.. Mlada Boleslav 1: 0 (Friendly Match)

Astana – Statistics & Current Form

Unlike Romania, Kazakhstan plays a year-round championship. The five-time champion from Astana can be only partially satisfied with the achievements in the calendar year 2018. Astana is currently not the hunted, but rather in the hunter role. Leader Tobol Kastany has completed a game less than the reigning champions, but is still a point ahead of the team of head coach Roman Grygorchuk. In 19 league games there were twelve victories, but also already five defeats.

Especially in May and June, the team was far below the possibilities. Between matchday nine and 16, there were all five losses to cope. However, the form curve has clearly moved higher, as the Grygorchuk team celebrated a 2-0 victory in the top match against Tobol a few days before the first leg win against Cluj. With another defeat it would have become extremely tight for Roman Grygorchuk. Thus, the chance to successfully defend the title continues to exist.

Big names are not to be found in the squad of the Kazakhs, but the last few years have shown that the extremely strong fighting team is not to be underestimated. The achievements in the foreign country can be quite impressive. In the previous year, for example, in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, there was a draw at Dynamo Kiev and also one at FK Jablonec. Under certain circumstances Astana could allow herself a defeat in Cluj; however, this requires a separate hit. If both the CFR Cluj and Astana meet, attracting odds of well over 2.00!

Expected formation of Astana:
➤ Eric – Beysebekov, Postnikov, Simunovic, Rukavina – Maevskly, Logvinenko – Murtazaev, Sigurjonsson, Tomasov – Rotariu

Last matches from Astana:

⚽️ 09.07.2019 – Astana vs. CFR Cluj 1-0 (Champions League)
⚽️ 05.07.2019 – Tobol Qostanai Vs. Astana 0-2 (Premier League)
⚽️ 30.06.2019 – Astana vs. Qairat Almaty 0: 2 (Premier League)
⚽️ 23.06.2019 – Ordabasy Shymkent Vs. Astana 3: 2 (Premier League)
⚽️ 16.06.2019 – Astana vs. Qaisar Qysylorda 4: 1 (Premier League)

CFR Cluj vs Astana Direct Comparison & Statistics Highlights

The Kazakh champion was able to secure victory in front of a home crowd thanks to a goal from Postnikov after an hour played. A well deserved victory, because the home side had set more of the game and also much better the visor. At Cluj, only one of 15 shots on goal found his way towards 37-year-old goalkeeper Eric!

CFR Cluj vs Astana Our Best Betting Prediction Explained

The winner of this co-game will face Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv in the second round, but the loser will not have the international adventure yet to come, as the teams from the championship path will be in UEFA Europa League continues. The goal is undoubtedly the whereabouts in the premier class. After the first leg victory of the Kazakhs is in the duel between CFR Cluj and Astana according to current odds also the Kazakh champion in the “To Qualify” bets to favor.

Key Facts – CFR Cluj vs Astana tips

🔻 Cluj lost only one home game last year – but seven games ended in a draw !!
🔻 The winner of this duel meets Maccabi Tel Aviv in the next round!
🔻 Crisis overcome – Astana with rising form and good results!

We agree with this opinion. Considered soberly, both teams are moving at a relatively similar level. The guests will probably act very wait-and-see and only make the way forward with manageable risk. As long as the zero is kept, the progress is fixed. After all, it is Cluj’s ride on the razor-blade – a clean sheet means at least three own hits needed. Astana has a quite acceptable switching game and can repeatedly pin pricks. In this regard, between CFR Cluj and Astana, we predict that the Kazakh champion will progress. Six units are used for this betting prediction!

Betting Prediction: Astana
Odds: 1.60