FC Steaua Bucuresti hosts Shakhter Karagandy in the first leg of the Europa Conference League qualification quarterfinals. The match will be played on Thursday, July 22nd at Arena Națională (Bucharest)
FC Steaua Bucuresti won 26 national championships. But the last time it happened back in 2015. After that, the Reds and Blues could not finish in 1st place again, and the 2020/2021 season was no exception: the representative of Bucharest again came to the finish line only in 2nd place. The vice-championship is clearly not what the eccentric Gigi Becali expected, and it is not surprising that he again changed the coach of his brainchild. Now the team is headed by Dinu Todoran, ex-player and mentor of Voluntari, who worked with a modest Slatina in the previous season (which left the 2nd division.) His debut was not the best: on July 15, FCSB did not manage to score on the pitch of Botosani, and the game ended in a goalless draw.
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Shakhter Karagandy experienced its peak at the beginning of the last decade. The Miners became the champions of Kazakhstan in the 2011-2012 season and won the cup the next year. Then the team was able to break into the group round of the Europa League. But then there was a rather protracted period when Shakhter went through a recession and could not climb into the top five of the championship standings in any way. Against this background, it managed to make a real breakthrough in 2020, having risen to 4th place. However, the bosses have changed several coaches since then. Magomed Adiev has been working since spring, and the results are not nearly as good. Having 16 points after 19 matches, the Miners have to fight hard for survival. It is not surprising that they are actively working on the transfer market, and among others, they have signed contracts with Shikavka and Khozin. But there are also losses — Baa and Badibanga lest Shakhter Karagandy. Are the Miners stronger now?
Karaganda is located in Europe only in terms of football, so it is not surprising that European clubs do not particularly want to go there to play against Shakhter. The Romanians also do not hide their displeasure. It is not surprising that the teams did not cross paths before this match. Of course, FCSB is only gaining momentum, but Shakhter Karagandy is simply weak, so it should be easily defeated. We recommend betting on the hosts to win with a -1.5 handicap.
Prediction for the match: FCSB to win with -1.5 handicap
