The first leg of the 2025/26 Europa League second qualifying round between Lugano (Switzerland) and CFR Cluj (Romania) will take place on July 24 at the Arena Thun. CFR Cluj vs. Lugano: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Lugano
The club earned the right to play in the Europa League thanks to their fourth-place finish in the last Swiss championship. Lugano has participated in the Europa League four times, with their best achievement being reaching the group stage. In the previous European season, the club played in the main stage of the Conference League, where they finished sixth in the table, collecting 13 points (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss). By reaching the top eight, the team started the playoffs directly from the round of 16 but couldn't advance further.
- No more than one goal has been scored in 5 of the team's last 7 home matches in the Europa League.
- The team has not scored more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 home games in the Europa League.
- Lugano won with a (0) handicap in their last five home matches in European competitions.
Predicted lineup for Lugano (4-4-2)
Amir Saipi – Antonios Papadopoulos, Lukas Mai, Martim Marques, Yuri Peverelli – Uran Bislimi, Daniel dos Santos, Ousmane Doumbia, Anto Grgic – Alexandre Parsemain, Renato Steffen.
CFR Cluj
The Romanians successfully overcame Hungarian side Paks in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. The first leg away ended in a goalless draw, but in the return match, CFR Cluj confidently defeated their opponent 3-0. At this stage of qualification, the team has played only once before and also advanced further. In total, the club has participated in the Europa League seven times, with their best result being reaching the first playoff round. It's also worth noting that the Romanian championship has already started: after two rounds, CFR Cluj has collected four points and is in fifth place.
- No more than two goals have been recorded in 9 of the club's last 13 away matches in European competitions.
- CFR Cluj has won 5 of their last 7 matches on the international stage.
- At least two goals were scored in 4 of the team's last 5 away matches in the Europa League.
Predicted lineup for CFR Cluj (4-3-3)
Otto Hindrich – Mario Camora, Leonardo Bolgado, Sheriff Sinyan, Ali Abed – Alexandru Păun, Karlo Muhar, Damjan Đoković – Virgiliu Postolachi, Andres Sfaiț, Ciprian Deac.
Referee
Darren England (England)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2022/23-2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 50%.
Match Prediction: Lugano vs. CFR Cluj
Lugano does not have a high scoring record in European competitions at home – in 5 of their last 7 home matches in the Europa League, both teams did not score. A similar pattern is observed with their opponent: in 14 of CFR Cluj's last 15 away games in this tournament, there was no exchange of goals. Moreover, this trend continues in European competitions in general – in 7 of the team's last 8 away matches on the international stage, at least one club left the field without scoring.
In my opinion, CFR Cluj will once again play strictly from defense, as they did in the first match against Paks. Their task is to not concede and try to decide everything in the return game at home. Additionally, there are not many teams in the Swiss championship that play in such a closed style, and Lugano may find it difficult to break through the opponent's tight defense.
My prediction: Both teams to score – No
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match.
