Romania Liga I 28-30 july

[archaeus]

riday 28 July 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Ceahlaul PT Neamt v Gloria Bistrita (18:00 BST)	1.90	3.20	3.50	113%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian Handicap
Saturday 29 July 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Unirea Urziceni v CS Politehnica Iasi (15:00 BST)	2.00	3.20	3.25	113%	Related markets...Match Result- - -Correct ScoreHalf-time Result
Universitat Craiova v FC Vaslui (15:00 BST)	1.72	3.30	4.50	111%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time- - -Correct ScoreDraw No BetFirst Goal TimeFirst Team to ScoreHalf with Most GoalsHalf-time ResultHandicap ResultLast Team to ScoreOver/UnderTotal Goal MinutesTotal Goals
Jiul Petrosani v Arges Pitesti (16:00 BST)	2.40	3.10	2.60	113%	Related markets...Match Result
National Bucuresti v Dynamo Bucuresti (16:00 BST)	3.40	3.25	2.00	111%	Related markets...Match Result- - -Correct ScoreHalf-time Result
Sportul Studentesc v Rapid Bukarest (16:00 BST)	4.00	3.40	1.72	113%	Related markets...Match Result
UT Arad v FC Farul Constanta (16:00 BST)	2.37	3.10	2.62	113%	Related markets...Match ResultAsian Handicap
Poli AEK Timisoara v Steaua Bucharest (19:00 BST)	2.62	3.10	2.37	113%	Related markets...Match Result
Sunday 30 July 2006
	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Otelul Galati v CFR Cluj-Napoca (15:00 BST)	2.37	3.10	2.80	111%	Related markets...Match ResultHalf-time/Full-time- - -Correct ScoreHalf-time Result

[archaeus]

UTA vs Farul is today alongside with Ceahlaul vs Gloria. I will post my previews later on the day.

[archaeus]

Just a quick preview of the 2006/2007 Romanian Liga I.

This season will be the most important and interesting season in the last 20 years. Because of the good and very good results of the Romanina football in european competiotions in the last few years, this year the champion will go in to the CL groups, the runner up into the 3rd preliminary round and 2 more teams in the UEFA Cup. Also the number of teams increased from 16 to 18, and instead of 2 teams that relegated last year, this year will go down 4. Besides the 3 big teams from Bucharest, Steaua Dinamo and Rapid, CFR Cluj and POLI Timisoara will have a word to say in the top finishers.

Last minute news: Sportul Studentesc, the team that finished in 4th position last year, was relegated yesterday because they did not aquired a valid licence for the coming season because of the huge debts the club has to the fisc. Instead of Sportul, in the 1st division will play Pandurii Tg Jiu, the 1st team that was under the line.

Let's take every team and analyse them a bit.



Steaua Bucharest
The defending champions. Reached the semis of the UEFA Cup last year, beeing defeated by Boro after a surprising 4-2 loss in England, they had won 1-0 @ Bucharest and were leading 2-0 away. Best team in the league nevertheless, 99% qualified in the 3rd preliminary round of the CL where they will meet Standard Liege. They lost right defender Ogararu, sold to Ajax, bought a couple of players, the most important beeing Israel international Klemi Saban, who will replace Ogararu. They have a very solid defence, good midlfield, and decent attacking line. Probably they will qualify into the Cl groups as they have better quality than Standard. I predict they will win the championship this year, as they lost only one player, the rest of the team has been playing for a long time witht he same players.

Dinamo Bucharest
As usually, every year, Dinamo changes alot of player, the coach, the staff. They sold 10 players, losing important midfielders Alexa and Grigorie sold to POLI Timisoara, GK Munteanu, left winger Vlad Munteanu sold in Germany to Cottbus if i am not wrong, attacking midfielder Tames, captain Florentin Petre sold to CSKA Sofia, and the list could go on. They bought New Zealand national team GK Glen Moss, Ioan Ganea - ex Wolves striker and ex national team's striker, right defender George Blay ( ghana ), angolese Ze Kalanaga - right midfielder, and a few players from the youth squad, plus a few players that were detached to other clubs, but they were Dinamo's players. They have a new coach, Mircea Rednic.
My prediction: places 2-3, not enough quality to win the title.

Rapid Bucharest
It was an entire scandal this summer at Rapid. Coach Lucescu, after reaching the UEFA Cup quarters with Rpaid, beeing knocked out by STeaua, wanted to leave Rapid and was going to sign with POLI TImisoara. In the end, he was persuaded to stay at Rapid, beeing promissed that Rapid will sign a few decent players for the coming year, after striker Niculae, best player of the team, was bought by Auxerre. They signed australian striker Griffiths and defender Sapunaru from National. They played in the 1st prelminary round of UEFA Cup, qualified for the next round, they will play vs FK Sarajevo. I think they will be upfront, places 2-4.

POLI Timisoara
As in the last 2 years, POLI has big expectations for the comin season. IMO this season theu have a good chance to catch an UEFA spot, as they strenghtened the squad with some good and decent players. Midfielders Alexa and Grigorie form Dinamo and striker Cristea from Steaua. They have a new coach, the experienced Sorin Cartu and they really can put pressure on the Bucharest teams. I don't think they can fight for the title, but they will be there upfront, maybe they can get a european spot. Prediction, places 3-6.

CFR Cluj
IMO Cluj will be the surprise of the season. They brought in some good and very good players, 5 portuguese players, Cadu from Boavista is the most imortant signing, along with Semedo, and Oliveira. They spent approx 3 millions euros on the players this summer, and their goal is to reach an european spot for next year. They also got striker Chihaia from Dinamo. Overall they have a good team and they can make a nice surprise this year. Prediction: places 4-7.

FC Arges
The team has new owners and a new coach, the "principe" Gianinni, ex AS Roma player. They have high expectations this year, the owners clearily staed they want a european place and bought couple players, not very known ones. They changes the pitch and modernised the stadium, they had a good preseason results. I expect them to make a good season, but dont think they have the power to fight all season long for a place in UEFA. prediction: places 6-8.

National Bucharest
Not big changes from last year, besides losing Grifiths and Sapunaru sold to Rapid. They have a new coach, Marin Duna, ex National player and with few preseces in the national team. I think they will do what they know best, get some points in the 1st part of the season, lay low in the 2nd. Prediction: places 5-9.

Farul Constanta
They made a good start of the season, playing the intertot final vs Auxerre, the were knocked out after 4-1 and 1-0. They have the same coach, Vukotic, no big signings, no big loses. An average team, but with few quality players. They want to go in UEFA Cup by winnig the Cup, they make some good games vs the big teams, they are what you'd call an average side. Prediction: palces 7-10.

Otelul Galati
The strangest team of last season, won only 2 games at home all season long , but won alot of points from away games, They Have the same squad and staff, i expect them to play a good football and to make some good games vs the big teams. Prediction: places 9-11.

Universitatea Craiova
My local team. Newly promoted, we were relegated 2 years ago for the first time in history. We had an owner that knew nothing about football, he bought the team only to make some proffit and had some unexperienced fellows near him that "teached" him football. Add tot his that he had some problems ewith the law, he had so little intentions to make some performances with the team, he sold all the players and the team relegated. From last year we have a new owner, he is very very close to this team, he was a supporter of this team since he was a little child, but his big problem is that he's got not enough money to keep this team as the fans want. This team was among the biggest teams in Romania in the 80's and 90's. We promoted without too much problems, had the beetr team in our series, but Liga I is so much different form 2nd division and no new good players were added to the squad, only some kids from a private football school and 3 australian players, 2 of them are already gone. Importnat midfielder Ionescu is out at leat 3-4 rounds because of foot injury, defender Ciuca, the team's captain, out 6 months with broken knee ligaments. I think we can avoid the drop, but will have a tough task to do that. Prediction: places 10-14.

Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt
Again a newly promoted team. They relegated 3 years ago, won the promotion this year with little trouble. They were known for fixing games, the owner Stefan was among the guys who did that kind of business. Those times have long gone, the Romanian football is clean and you cant do that kind of stuff anymore. They didnt lose or bring in any decent players, will struggle to avoid the drop. Prediction: places 11-15.

Gloria Bistrita
Alonside with Ceahlaul, the team that fixed games in the past years. Lost 4-5 players this year, couple were gone to Dinamo, couple gone to Pandurii. The best buy in the team is the coach, ex international Sabau, they will have some hard tiems trying to stay alive. Prediction: places 12-15.

Pandurii
They were relegated last year but were promoted by the FA because of Sportul who had no valid licence. They are the main relegation candidate, they bought some players for the 1st league yesterday and the day before yesterday, they are now way near ready to play in the 1st league. Prediction: places 14-18.

UTA Arad
A newly promoted team, but infact they relegated to 3rd division and the team that won promotion form B 2ns series, Liberty, united with UTA and that's how they are now into the 1st league. They bought 15 players this summer, a new coach, ex Steaua symbol Marius Lacatus and they want to make a good season but IMO they will fight for relegation. They have a big rivalry with POLI Timisoara, i cant wait for the game between this 2 sides.
Prediction: places 13-18

Jiul Petrosani
This team barely excaped from relegation with the same problems Sportul had. They payed some money to the fisc and they escaped. They have a new coach, got some new players also, but they will surely be in the down side of the league. They will fight to avoid the drop, prediction: places 13-15.

POLI Iasi
A decent team wilast year, they have some problems with the money this year, as the main sponsor donest give money to the team anymore. They will have a hard time this year, althought hey didnt lose any major player, neither did they bought any. Will be in the middle part of the table, places 10-12.

Unirea Urziceni
Another newly promoted, was in the same series with my local team, won promotion from the mini tournament that was played with the other 2 teams that finished 2nd int hir series. They didnt seall or bought any decent player, kept the coach, will fight to avoid the drop. Prediction: places 12-16.

FC Vaslui
They lost their main sponsor and owner, they sold their best 2 players to Steaua, Badea and Panait, will have a hard time too stay on this year. Prediction: places 13-17.

[archaeus]

UT Arad v FC Farul Constanta
A new promoted teams vs a team that already played 6 official games so far, reaching the intertoto final. They were knocked out by Uaxerre, they lost 4-1 in France, the score was 2-1 and they hit the bar, then 4-1 and all gone. In Romania, 0-0 @ HT, right after HT penalty for Farul 1-0, 5 minutes later they hit the bar and missed another huge chance. If the score wouldve been 2-0, who knbows what could have hapened. Anyway, as i staed in the season preview, UTA bout almost an entire squad this year, a new coach, they want to make a nice surprise but do not think they have the power to do so. Among the players bought, ou can count striker Mara, defender Baciu, striker Simion, Gk Tudor, some good players couple years ago but they didnt play competitive football ever since. They will have a hard time vs Farul, a team that didnt lose any moajor player, and who already played some good games in the Intertoto so far. I think Sporting Odds made a mistake making UTA favourites on the DNB line, 1.80. I will take Farul with medium stakes.
Bet Farul DNB odds 1.90 @ SportingOdds 5/10

[archaeus]

Ceahlaul PT Neamt v Gloria Bistrita
This 2 team were "kings of the fixing games" couple years ago. And as you see, they meet in 1st round .... . I really think and want taht this type of games to have ended, the 2 president say its over blablabla. Gloria lost some players this summer and they will have a hard time trying to stay alive. On the other side, the expectations are high and president Stefan wants to win this game to end the speculations. I think his team has the power to do it, im taking Ceahlaul with low-medium stake

Bet Ceahlaul odds 1.90 @ Bet365 4/10

[archaeus]

good luck with your picks

[Imperium]

I see odds for Farul DNB dropping everywhere so I`ve taken X2 @1,46 instead. Looking forward to your analysis for Romanian games in coming season, archaeus.

cheers

[davidmphill]

Archaeus, outstanding work as ever.
Looking forward to some great rewards for your hard work.

[meatman]

nice 1 Archaeus mate

wish u the best of luck this season and I shall be followoing some of your selections

[archaeus]

Cheers guys, hope to have a good season, at least as good as the previous one.

Farul 1-0, Apostol from penalty kick. UTA pressing hard atm, hope they can hold on to the lead.

[archaeus]

UTA level now 1-1

[archaeus]

1-1 FT, i guess its a level result, Farul missed a big occasion just after the goal, UTA pressed really hard and got the equalizer. Now fingers crossed for Ceahlaul.

[meatman]

a push is a push mate, no loss

heres to a Ceahlaul win

[meatman]

nice 1-0 matey

cheers for the tip

[archaeus]

FT	UT Arad	1 - 1	Farul Constanta
FT	Neamt	1 - 0	Gloria Bistrita

nice win for Ceahlaul, too bad Farul didnt hold on to the lead. Couple point proffit for today, hope for a better day tomorrow

[archaeus]

Unirea Urziceni v CS Politehnica Iasi

Urziceni won promotion after a mini-tournament which took place after the 2nd division ended. Took part the 3 teams that finished in 2nd place in every B series. They won the tournament after 2 convincing wins, although they were the underdogs. They bought couple players to be able to survive, but will have a very hard time. On the other hand, Poli Iasi kept his main striker Bilba, that was linked with a move to Rapid, they have a good coach, and have a decent squad alright. The only problem is that the guy who sponsored them is not there any more. They have a new signing, midfileder Sariciri who will play from the begining today. I tend to go with Iasi in this one, and i really like the odds on the +0.25 AH that 10bet offers. The price dropped a bit, but i think it is still value.

Bet Poli Iasi +0.25 odds 2.00 @ 10bet 4/10

[TheKing]

Steaua is great value 2.30@Gamebookers for straight win.I think they can pull it of, they have the fittnes and morale advantage + the better team.

[archaeus]

Universitat Craiova v FC Vaslui

My local team, vs a team that barely escaped relegation last season. Craiova won the promotion wining the B II series without much trouble, but the problem is that Liga I is much much stronger than 2nd division and the squad did not receive any decent signings since promotion was aquired. In the preseason friendlies, we were really really crap, 0-3 vs Arges, 1-2 vs Sportul, 1-0 vs Pandurii and 3-1 vs Caracal, last 2 being 2nd division teams ( well Pandurii are now promoted to Liga I because of Sportul ). Craiova will miss some very important players for this game: midlfield play maker Ionescu, the nr. 10, out with a foot injury, captain Ciuca with damaged cruciate ligaments, and midfielder Fritea. Also coach Stanga will not sit on the bench as he is suspended. Defender Craciunescu was recalled from 2nd team to replace Ciuca, because aussie Heath didnt convinced and he will be on the bench. On the other hand Vaslui lost it's best 2 players, Badea and Panait sold to Steaua. They also lost sponsor Porumboiu. They don't have a much better team, i could say the squads are equally balanced, but they played one year in this league and have a bit of experience. The odds for the ah line from Bet365 are very good, i think they missed it again, as they did it many times last season and i will gladly take it. I will lose the bet smiling if Craiova win, but i doubt they will.

Bet Vaslui +0.75 odds 2 @ Bet365 4/10

[archaeus]

Poli AEK Timisoara v Steaua Bucharest

This is the first derby of the season. Neither team wanted this to happen so soon, but eventually they had to play this game, too bad it came so early, in the 1st round. As in the last 2 years, the expectations are very high at Timisoara, they bought some good players, Alexa and Grigorie from Dinamo and Cristea from Steaua. They also have a new coach, Sorin Cartu, a very experinced technician with a lot of years in the 1st division as a coach. Timisoara looks good today, even if they meet Steaua, the defending champions. Steaua played 3 days ago in the 2nd preliminary round of the Cl in Slovenia, they won 2-0. They will miss their most important player, captain Radoi, and midfielder Coman, that was bought from Timisoara. The stadium will be sold out for sure as Timisoara has a very good support from their fans. I will give Timisoara the chance to at least draw vs Steaua, 0-0 could be the score, because both teams have a solid defence.

Bet Poli Timisoara +0.25 odds 2.04 @ 10bet 4/10
Bet CS 0-0 odds 9.50 @ VC Bet 0.5/10

[archaeus]

good luck with your picks