Romania Liga I (Aug 3-5)

[archaeus]

Friday 3 August 2007
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Ceahlaul PT Neamt v Gloria Buzau (17:30 BST)	1.90	3.25	4.33	107%	Related markets...Match Result - - -Asian HandicapDraw No BetOver/Under
FC Farul Constanta v FC Steaua Bucuresti (18:30 BST)	6.00	4.00	1.61	104%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time - - -Correct ScoreDraw No BetHalf-time ResultOver/Under
Dinamo Bucharest v FC Vaslui (18:45 BST)	1.28	5.50	12.00	105%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time - - -Correct ScoreDraw No BetHalf-time ResultOver/Under
Saturday 4 August 2007
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Poli Unirea Iasi v Universitat Craiova (16:00 BST)	2.80	3.25	2.60	105%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time - - -Correct ScoreDraw No BetHalf-time ResultOver/Under
UT Arad v Dacia Mioveni (16:00 BST)	1.80	3.50	5.25	104%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time - - -Correct ScoreDraw No BetHalf-time ResultOver/Under
Sunday 5 August 2007
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Pandurii v Otelul Galati (16:00 BST)	2.36	3.25	3.40	103%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time - - -Correct ScoreDraw No BetHalf-time ResultOver/Under
Unirea Urziceni v Universitatea Cluj (16:00 BST)	1.70	3.30	4.33	113%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian Handicap
Rapid Bukarest v Gloria Bistrita (18:00 BST)	1.35	5.10	11.50	103%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian HandicapHalf-time/Full-time - - -Correct ScoreHalf-time ResultOver/Under
CFR Cluj-Napoca v Politehnica AEK Timisoara (19:30 BST)	1.85	1.98	2.46	146%	Related markets...Match Result

[Goe]

Ceahlaul @ 1.98 (Pinnacle)

Ceahlaul is not anymore the team that relegated last season. They brought many average-good players and a skilled coach, the old fox Hizo. Last match they played a good first half, blocking the one-touch play of Steaua and trying to force on the wings offensively (this is how they created their goal). After the break Steaua pressed on and it was another story, but still I saw a different Ceahlaul than last season. They got two red cards then, but weirdly no one was suspended! With them two in the first eleven (both being key players), I go with confidence with the home side. Gloria left 5 players at home, and two of them, Simion, loan from Steaua, and midfielder Suleap are important. They proved to be an industrious team with ambition in the first match, but still I don't see them getting any point tonight. I think this season will be very important for the small teams to get their points at home, especially against other small teams, which is the case now. Experience is also in hosts' favor, and 1.98 looks really great.

[Goe]

Steaua @ 1.55 (Expekt)

Steaua gained a hill of confidence after the UCL's away win against Zaglebie Lubin. They are without any doubt the better team, and moreover the start of the season showed a weak Farul team, trashed 0-4 at Craiova. I think however that they will fight harder at home and Steaua won't have an easy task. Neaga is suspended and newcomer Zaharia will make his debut for the guests in the up-front. I see this bet in danger only if Steaua will be as toothless as in the first match against Ceahlaul, when they scored only from penalty and corner, but I'm sure that all the players are highly motivated to win, which they will eventually do. The defence was surprisingly good in Poland, and I'm not sure if Hagi will change the second defensive midfielder for an offensive one. Now that they will have a real striker in the box, I hope to see more useful crosses from Badoi and Nicolita for Dica and Zaharia. Had it been for a better opponent, I would have chosen the surprise outcome in these circumstances, but I really can't see Farul getting any point tonight. GO, Steaua!

[hanniball23]

Farul - Steaua
pick Steaua
1.55@expekt
Steaua will go to play at Constanta, the city where the coach Hagi was born.A few years ago the stadium was named Gheorghe Hagi, after the big talent. Hagi will be welcomed with sympatyies.
Steaua will play with euphoria that they have the chance in the CL group phase for the second time in last 2 years.They were extremly lucky(like every time ) to meet one week oponent. They will meet the winer between Bate Borisov (Belarus) orHafnarfjordur (Islanda). I am convinced that they will go further but only because their oponents are weak.
Steaua is not playing impresive, and i must say they are playing boring.
They will beat imo Farul, because Farul is one of the weakest teams in Liga 1 this season. Neaga is out for this game but Zaharia will replace him and he is a strong player. Also out for Steaua is:Ghionea,Emeghara, Cristocea,V. Badea, V. Iacob, Ocirosii, Bostina,-lots of strikers in this list.
Farul will get 1000$ for a draw and 3000 for a win, but i dont think they will get any money.
Farul will miss:Schiopu and Nae
GL!

[archaeus]

I agree with both picks about Ceahlaul and Steaua, but i really think that Steaua is very very short@1.55. Also they played in CL qual couple days ago and reached Constanta at 5 AM in the morning, so the team is very tired. Also an important thing to consider is that Farul had an awfull game vs Craiova and they will want to get at least 1 point tonight. GL witn whatever you bet on

[Goe]

Originally Posted by archaeus

I agree with both picks about Ceahlaul and Steaua, but i really think that Steaua is very very short@1.55. Also they played in CL qual couple days ago and reached Constanta at 5 AM in the morning, so the team is very tired. Also an important thing to consider is that Farul had an awfull game vs Craiova and they will want to get at least 1 point tonight. GL witn whatever you bet on

That's why I wrote that, given such circumstances, I would have chosen to go against Steaua, had the opponent have been a better one. On the other side, many people speak about an old friendship between Farul and Steaua, which I personally don't agree with (H2H is relevant here, only 3 away wins for Steaua in Constanta during the past 12 years) - I think that the interest of the moment mostly dictated the play of both teams, well of Farul tbh. Now, I'm sure they will fight, but Steaua is simply better and will (hopefully) win.

[godmato]

I've seen Gloria Buzau last year and i can tell you that the only game they know is the counterattack! And now they have Gurita which is the best counterattack player in Romania wright now. So in this case i won't jump on Ceahlaul odds...may be a live bet during the game...

GL with the bets Goe and hanniball23!

[Goe]

Steaua 1-0, WON
Ceahlaul 4-0, WON

Difficult match for Steaua, again goal from corner, Farul a fighting team as expected.

Naive Gloria defenders, to briefly sum up.

[Valderrama11]

Great work Goe!

[Goe]

Originally Posted by bee1101

Great work Goe!

Thanks, mate. A good evening, indeed.

[davidmphill]

Nice start guys, long may it continue.

[Goe]

Craiova (0) @ 1.96 (Pinnacle)

Two teams with different approaches of the tonight match. Iasi has 7 consecutive matches without a win (last one on 24 April) and 5 loses in a row. The last one 1-3 in Timisoara, when the coach Popa heavily criticized his team, especially the left back newcomer Munteanu. Now they admitted that their play suffers and declared themselves satisfied with a draw in the today match. Full back pillar R. Ciobanu is suspended and Craiova coach announced a 3-4-3 line-up, with strong trio up-front: Tanasa, Baird and Costea vs. a weakened 5-3-2 approach of the hosts. Craiova is unbeaten by 8 matches (7 wins), last defeat on 25 April. They have flown the long distance and freshly came in Iasi as Liga 1's leaders after 4-0 win in the first day. There is much optimism in the team and the staff announced that this might be the pay-off season after many investments. Also, they want to revenge the 1-1 draw last season, when they lost 2 points in the added time. All in all I see the guests having the upper hand here, so I back them at very nice draw-no-bet odds.

[Goe]

UTA (-0.75) @ 2.04 (Pinnacle)

The changed UTA meets at home the newcomers Mioveni. From the beginning I see the hosts as clear favorites and here's why:
- UTA has brought some good players especially in offensive and the first match at Vaslui showed an improved play of a solid team. There is good competitiveness in the team, no one is sure about his place in the first eleven, which brings great motivation for a good play
- UTA traditionally a solid team at home, and this is a match that must be won
- There are expectations (not loudly spoken yet) for a good season, which will allow the team to fight for a UEFA Cup spot
- Mioveni plays with ambition like any other newcomer in Liga 1, but nothing more. They will try to be disciplined in the back and mostly to destroy the hosts' attacks
- Mioveni will miss strikers Costescu and Ionescu, and defender Dianu (important players), but will have the new-signing Balauru from Urziceni in the back

I think that UTA will force the victory today and they will win (hopefully with more than one goal). If they score an early opener, the -0.75 hcp will easily be covered imo. The odds look really great and tasty.

[archaeus]

Originally Posted by Goe

Craiova (0) @ 1.96 (Pinnacle)

Two teams with different approaches of the tonight match. Iasi has 7 consecutive matches without a win (last one on 24 April) and 5 loses in a row. The last one 1-3 in Timisoara, when the coach Popa heavily criticized his team, especially the left back newcomer Munteanu. Now they admitted that their play suffers and declared themselves satisfied with a draw in the today match. Full back pillar R. Ciobanu is suspended and Craiova coach announced a 3-4-3 line-up, with strong trio up-front: Tanasa, Baird and Costea vs. a weakened 5-3-2 approach of the hosts. Craiova is unbeaten by 8 matches (7 wins), last defeat on 25 April. They have flown the long distance and freshly came in Iasi as Liga 1's leaders after 4-0 win in the first day. There is much optimism in the team and the staff announced that this might be the pay-off season after many investments. Also, they want to revenge the 1-1 draw last season, when they lost 2 points in the added time. All in all I see the guests having the upper hand here, so I back them at very nice draw-no-bet odds.

Agree 100% with this, a single doubt would be Costea starting from the begining as a knee injury made him leave the pitch earlier in the game vs Farul.

[Goe]

Small stake on Vaslui (+1.5) @ 1.96 (Pinnacle)

Well, risky bet, but I base my reasoning upon a few facts:
- A-team defenders Moti and Pulhac and midfielder Margaritescu are all out. Their replacements have not the same class, especially in the defence
- Dinamo had not a great start of season, and Zicu and Bratu showed a faded play, maybe because they don't like the positions where coach Rednic put them
- Vaslui is still unbeaten in "Stefan cel Mare", having won and drawn the previous two meetings
- Vaslui's coach Dorinel Munteanu is very ambitious and disciplined in play, which could cause problems for Dinamo's offensive

However, there are other reasons that speak against this bet:
- The offensive power of Dinamo
- Free-kicks scorer Niculescu
- First match at home for Dinamo, who will want to impress the fans
- Vaslui play being inconsistent in the first match

If Vaslui plays orderly and disciplined, I think they might put some problems for the hosts and not lose at more than one goal.

[Goe]

Originally Posted by archaeus

Agree 100% with this, a single doubt would be Costea starting from the begining as a knee injury made him leave the pitch earlier in the game vs Farul.

You're right, it might be that Costea is not 100% recovered. However, the Craiova newspaper Editie Speciala points him in the first eleven.

[godmato]

As always Craiova speaks loud that they are the best and bla bla bla they will win at Iasi . 1st half was an equal one and tbh neither team should have won it

In Arad Dacia controlled the game in the 1st half and if things will be the same in the 2nd half then odds over 6 for an away win is value! This game is very ugly with only 1 chance so far for Dacia Mioveni. UTA plays pretty bad like last season and they only know how to counterattack. Now they have to attack but they don't know how...Ugly game...

[godmato]

Stupid red card for UTA!!!! Odds at bet365 are 5.50 for an away win and 1.53 for double chance Dacia Mioveni!!!!

[Goe]

Craiova 1-2, lost
UTA 1-0, half WON, half push
Vaslui 2-0, WON

A small loss, but not totally bad after all.

[godmato]

Simply great Goe! Big congrats on Vaslui!