CFR vs Universitatea Cluj prediction: expert analysis, possible lineups, October 8, 2026
Liga 1 Romania
On October 8, 2026, CFR and Universitatea Cluj will face off in the 4th round of Romania's Liga I. This is a derby in which both sides always want to come out on top.
CFR - Universitatea Cluj team news and expert analysis
The club from Cluj-Napoca finished third last season. This time around, they have already been knocked out of the Conference League: they overcame Alashkert in qualifying but then lost both games against Tromsø. Their results on the domestic front have also been underwhelming so far. Still, they defeated their most recent opponent, Botoșani, 3-1.
Their neighbors tried to compete with their “fellow clubs” from Craiova, but ultimately lost both the top spot in the league and the cup final to them. After the break, they drew with the same opponents but lost the penalty shootout in the Super Cup. Nothing worked out on the international stage either. They were eliminated from the Europa League immediately: both matches against Dynamo Kyiv ended in goalless draws, but the Ukrainians were more accurate in the shootout. In the Conference League, meanwhile, the Romanians lost to Brann. They also suffered several defeats in the league, although they won both of their last two matches there: 3-0 against Oțelul and 2-0 against Voluntari.
Șumudică's side score 1.67 goals per game and concede 1.56. The runners-up are currently averaging 1.56 goals scored and 1.44 conceded.
Previous matches: CFR - Universitatea Cluj
Across the last seven meetings, the sides have recorded three wins apiece, all on home soil.
It is unlikely that anything will change this time—the hosts should win again (odds – 1.97).
CFR - Universitatea Cluj: key statistics and trends
- CFR have won three of their last five matches
- Both teams have scored in 56% of CFR's matches, with an average total of 3.22 goals per game
- Universitatea Cluj have won both of their last two matches
- Both teams have scored in 56% of Universitatea Cluj's matches, with an average total of 3.0 goals per game
CFR - Universitatea Cluj: possible starting lineups
CFR play in a 1-3-4-2-1 formation (possible lineup): Vâlceanu - Rocha, Gelashvili, Ignat - Camora, Omoch, Perianu, Brown - Biliboc, Cordea - Dražić
Universitatea Cluj play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Lefter - Chipciu, Codrea, Cristea, Mikanović - Bic, Drammeh - Mendy, Nistor, Makalu - Lukic
Place your bets on the upcoming match and keep track of your team's position in the Romanian Liga I standings
