Universitatea Cluj
- Universitatea Cluj and CFR 1907 Cluj will open the Liga I playoff 2025-2026 season on Monday with a classic derby match that could be won by either side.
- Both teams are tied on 27 points after the regular season and the race for the title and European places is anyone’s game.
- Universitatea Cluj are the in-form team, having not lost in their last six games and storming into the play-off by beating Csíkszereda 4-1, Oțelul Galați 4-0 and then FCSB 3-1 away from home.
CFR 1907 Cluj
- CFR 1907 are a pragmatic, organized team under the leadership of Daniel Pancu, who has them set up to be compact and to stifle the game when ahead, while also able to switch shape and flow.
- Karlo Muhar and Tommi Jyry provide steel and energy in the midfield, allowing CFR to push forward in numbers and look to create transitions when the opposition over-commit.
- Andrei Cordea is a potential absentee due to suspension for Monday’s game, so Pancu will have to find another option up front.
Head-to-Head
- Recent Cluj derbies have produced plenty of goals, including a 3 - 2 derby in February.
- Two of those games finished 3-2 to CFR and another was a 2-2 draw.
- Both teams have scored in several recent Cluj derbies, making this a tense but high-scoring fixture.
Key Players
- Cristiano Bergodi’s philosophy is attack-oriented and has sparked a notable uptick in offensive output since his late-2025 appointment.
- Dan Nistor and Alex Chipciu are the creative and experienced fulcrum of the midfield, while Issouf Macalou is a proven goalscorer who has also provided assists from his advanced position.
- Jovo Lukić leads the line for U Cluj, who usually line-up in a 4-3-3 formation, and has been in prolific form.
- Damjan Đoković and Lorenzo Biliboc are both capable of scoring from midfield positions and both found the net in the February 3-2 win over U Cluj.
Betting Insights
- Backing Over 2.5 goals @ 2.15 looks good for this game as both sides will want to establish an early lead.
- Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 1.83 is the primary bet given the recent derby trends and goal frequency.
Prediction
Universitatea Cluj should edge out the victory in what will be a fiercely contested derby clash.
