Petrocub and Osijek meet at Stadionul Zimbru, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (1st Qualifying Round). These two teams have never faced each other before, so this will be their first direct confrontation. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor.
Petrocub:
The home team plays its first match in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of taking advantage of the home advantage to achieve a positive result. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 23 goals scored and 21 conceded; against 9 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses at their stadium, with 49 goals scored and 15 suffered. In the last match he played, for the National Divide ?, he beat Zimbru at home by (2-1). In their last 10 home matches the Petrocub has 6 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 9 of the last 10 matches, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored at least one goal in each of the last 10 matches.
The Petrocub comes in a good phase, both inside and outside, but it will have a difficult mission ahead. But the local coach knows the potential of his team and goes with everything to get the victory against his fans. Despite knowing that it will not be an easy game, the team bets on the house factor to conquer a good result and not suffer in the return game, in which they will choose to bet only on counterattacks to avoid taking risks, as they know that the opposing team is superior.
Osijek:
The visiting team will make its debut in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of conquering a positive result, taking advantage of the home factor. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 3 wins, 5 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 16 goals scored and 19 conceded; against 8 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses at their stadium, with 27 goals scored and 16 conceded. The team comes to this match after a home win against Zalaegerszegi TE by (2-0). In the last 10 away matches Osijek has won 1, tied 3 and lost 6. The team has conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, but their attack has scored regularly, since he scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In the last 9 home matches for all competitions there are 2 periods that stand out: they have suffered 4 of their 8 goals between minutes (76′-90 ‘) and 3 of their 8 goals between (31′-45’).
For playing away from home the Osijek team should be cautious, because they do not want to suffer a defeat in the first leg, so even a draw will be considered a good result, as they will decide the score next to their fans. The initial goal of the team will be to make a strong defensive score, not to give space to the home team, but who believes that the team will only defend, because it has quality to attack and fight for victory. The visiting coach must take a fairly competitive team to the field.
PREDICTION: Osijek to win @ 1.52
