Home advantage could decide the tie: Ararat-Armenia vs Universitatea Craiova prediction
The Europa League qualifying play-off second leg between Ararat-Armenia and Universitatea Craiova will take place on 27 August at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium. Following a 1-1 draw in Romania, the tie remains wide open, with the winner of this match securing a place in the main stage of the competition.
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Ararat-Armenia: Armenian champions close to a historic achievement
After a five-year wait, Ararat-Armenia reclaimed the league title in the 2025/26 season and began their European campaign this summer in Champions League qualifying. Manuel Tulipa's side overcame Riga and Shamrock Rovers, but then lost 3-2 on aggregate to Celje and dropped into the Europa League.
Their start to the new domestic season has also been assured, with 10 points from four matches leaving them second in the table. The 1-1 draw in Craiova further strengthened the hosts' position, and they already have positive experience against Romanian opposition, having eliminated Universitatea Cluj without losing a match in last season's Conference League.
Universitatea Craiova: Romanians must get the result away from home
Universitatea became Romanian champions for the first time in 35 years, finishing four points ahead of Universitatea Cluj, but their Champions League qualifying campaign did not last long. After a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over ML Vitebsk, Filipe Coelho's side were beaten by Levski and dropped into the Europa League, where they subsequently overcame KuPS.
A 1-1 home draw with Ararat-Armenia cannot be considered an ideal result, but the visitors' form gives them reason for optimism, with just one defeat in their last eight matches in all competitions. Ahead of the trip to Armenia, Universitatea also beat Voluntari 3-1, although they lost Adrian Rus to a serious knee injury.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- The first leg in Craiova ended in a 1-1 draw.
- Ararat-Armenia are unbeaten against Romanian clubs and eliminated Universitatea Cluj in Conference League qualifying last season.
- Universitatea Craiova have lost only one of their last eight matches in all competitions.
The hosts have their chance: Ararat-Armenia vs Universitatea Craiova prediction
The first meeting showed just how evenly matched the two sides are, so the second leg is also unlikely to feature a clear advantage for either team. This time, however, Ararat-Armenia are at home, where the backing of the crowd and their strong start to the season could prove important.
The Romanians have enough attacking quality to cause the hosts problems again, particularly given Steven Nsimba's goalscoring form. Nevertheless, the loss of Rus weakens the visitors' defence, while the Armenian champions look capable of making home advantage count at the decisive moment.
