CSA Steaua Bucureşti vs FC Cetatea Suceava: match statistics

FC Cetatea Suceava sit 10th, while CSA Steaua Bucureşti are 22nd, and the visitors have collected 7 points from their last five matches compared with 4 points for the hosts. The Suceava side create significantly more on the road, averaging 23.5 shots and 2.33 xG, while Steaua average 14.33 shots and 1.92 xG at home. The hosts have failed to win any of their three home matches, conceding an average of 2 goals per game and keeping no clean sheets. The visitors score an average of 1.5 goals away from home and have kept a clean sheet in half of such matches, which, combined with their superior recent form, gives them the edge. Steaua also consistently create chances and average 1.33 goals at home, so both teams have a realistic chance of scoring, but an away win is the more likely outcome.

BTTS at 67% in Steaua’s matches is higher than both Cetatea Suceava’s 50% and the league average of 56%. The hosts have averaged 1.4 goals scored in their last 5 matches, but conceded as many as 1.8, clearly increasing the visitors’ chances of finding the net. Cetatea creates plenty of chances: their average xG stands at 2.33, compared with Steaua’s 1.17 xG conceded, while they also average 6.0 shots on target per match. The visitors have kept a clean sheet in 50% of their matches; however, Steaua have failed to score in none of their matches this season and have their own average xG of 1.59. Recent form is less conclusive, as BTTS occurred in 60% of the hosts’ last five matches and 40% of the visitors’, but the attacking profile of both teams still slightly favours goals at both ends.

In the teams’ matches to date, at least 2 goals have been scored in 100% of cases, strongly supporting the Over 1.5 line. Cetatea Suceava creates a high volume of chances, with an average xG of 2.33, along with 23.5 shots and 6.0 shots on target per match, while Steaua concede an average of 1.33 goals. The hosts should also contribute to the scoreline, as they average 1.33 goals scored, while their opponents concede an average of 1.50 goals away from home. The signal for Over 2.5 is more balanced: the line was surpassed in all 5 of Steaua’s last five matches, but only once in Suceava’s, which is why Over 1.5 remains the safer and strongest option.

FC Cetatea Suceava have greater creative quality: their average xG stands at 2.33 compared with Steaua’s 1.59, while they register as many as 23.5 shots per match versus 12.67 for the home side. The visitors have taken the lead at the break more often, doing so in 50% of matches compared with 33% for the hosts, while Steaua have been behind at half-time in 67% of games. Across their last five appearances, the hosts have averaged just 0.8 points and conceded 1.8 goals per match, whereas Cetatea have recorded 1.4 points and conceded only 1.0 goal. The visitors’ advantage could persist after the interval, as although Steaua average 1.0 goal in the second half, Cetatea keep a clean sheet in 50% of matches during that period. The most likely outcome is therefore an HT/FT scenario in which Cetatea take the lead before half-time and hold on for the win.