Academica Clinceni host Botosani on Monday in Liga I play. Botosani have started the Romanian domestic season well by taking 21 points from 30 possible.
Coach Marius Croitoru’s team is second in Liga I and will fancy their chances against the division’s bottom of the table club. Academica Clinceni have taken just two points from 30 this season and are on a three-match losing streak.
Nu au fost 3️⃣. Nici măcar 1️⃣. Dar am fost aproape. 📷 @fcsbofficial_ro 🆚️ @fc_academica 3-2 pic.twitter.com/eEGs0KFRLa— Academica Clinceni (@fc_academica) September 26, 2021
Nu au fost 3️⃣. Nici măcar 1️⃣. Dar am fost aproape. 📷 @fcsbofficial_ro 🆚️ @fc_academica 3-2 pic.twitter.com/eEGs0KFRLa
The home team has conceded 22 goals in Liga I play, which is the second most in the 16-team league. Botosani, on the other hand, are unbeaten in four straight fixtures. They have outscored opponents 11-7 over the course of 10 matches this term.
Academica Clinceni and Botosani met four times last season in league and playoff fixtures. Academica Clinceni took four points from six in the league’s regular season and outscoring Botosani 2-1.
In the playoffs, Botosani took the spoils at home 2-1 before losing 4-3 in the reverse fixture at Academica Clinceni. This teams were evenly matched when they played in 2020-21. However, Academica Clinceni are in poor form going into this weekend’s fixture.
Botosani are led in goals this season by forward Hervin Ongenda. He has three goals and two assists this term. Ogenda has contributed to five of Botosani’s 11 goals. Forward Herve Kage has scored two goals for the Botosani cause this term.
Academica Clinceni are led in goals by Argentine Juan Bautista Cascini with four goals. He has exactly half of Academica Clinceni’s goals in 2021-22. Cascini has also added an assist. He has contributed to 63% of Academica Clinceni’s scoring.
Just one of Academica Clinceni’s two points this season has come from home matches. They were outscored 6-3 opponents in four games at home. Meanwhile, Botosani are Liga I’s best team on the road.
Botosani has taken 13 points from 15 on offer this season. They are +4 in goal difference away from home with seven goals for and three against.
Botosani’s last two matches in Liga I saw both teams score goals. Academica Clinceni are coming off of a 3-2 loss to FCSB last weekend.
Three of the teams’ four matches in 2020-21 saw both teams score and over 2.5 goals tallied. Monday’s game should be the teams’ fourth straight meeting to end with over 2.5 goals and both sides scoring.
Botosani should claim a win on Monday night and continue their strong play at the top of the table.