Universitatea Craiova — Istanbul Basaksehir : Match Preview and Prediction for August 28,2025

Craiovei’s Blazing Form

The Romanians are on fire. The team leads the national championship, having secured six victories in seven rounds. It’s crucial to understand that Universitatea doesn’t just sit back defensively, even when holding an advantage. Their recent 2-0 triumph over Petrolul is a prime example, where the team registered 18 shots, with 9 of them on target.

Home Ground Dominance

At home, Craiova displays particularly high-scoring performances. Statistics emphatically show that at least three goals were scored in 7 of their previous 9 home matches involving the Romanian club. This isn’t mere coincidence but a clear playing philosophy. Mirel Rădoi’s side isn’t afraid to push forward, and the packed ‘Ion Oblemenco’ stadium will only further fuel their attacking ambitions.

First Leg Insights and Goalkeeper Concerns

The first encounter in Istanbul, which ended 2-1 in Craiova’s favor, demonstrated the Romanians’ ability to breach the Turkish defense. They generated 1.46 xG, reaffirming their offensive capabilities. However, Pavlo Isenko is expected in goal for Craiova, and reports from the first leg suggest he wasn’t entirely convincing, potentially offering Başakşehir additional opportunities in front of goal.

Başakşehir’s Urgent Offensive

The Turks have no alternative. Following their 1-2 home defeat, they must go all-in from the first whistle to the last. Any approach other than an attacking one will see them eliminated from European competition. Crucially, Başakşehir postponed their league match last weekend to fully concentrate on preparing for the return leg. They will arrive in Romania fresh and ready to launch an assault.

Defensive Vulnerabilities

Başakşehir’s defensive issues only fuel our prediction. First-choice goalkeeper Muhammed Şengezer is suspended, and captain and key defender Léo Duarte sustained an injury in the first leg. These are significant blows to their backline. While replacements will undoubtedly step in, the team’s cohesion and defensive solidity will be severely compromised.

Attacking Intent and Scoring Trends

Coach Çağdaş Atan expressed dissatisfaction with his forwards’ performance after the first match. It’s highly probable that Ebosele and Brnić, who notably revitalized the game in Istanbul after coming on as substitutes, will start from the off. This signals a clear leaning towards an attacking approach. Furthermore, consider the trends: over 2.5 goals were scored in 12 of Başakşehir’s previous 18 matches and in 13 of their last 20 away games.