The Matchday 5 fixture of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League group stage between Universitatea Craiova (Romania) and Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) will be played on December 11 at Ion Oblemenco Stadium. Universitatea Craiova – Sparta Prague: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Universitatea Craiova
The Romanians have won their last two matches by identical 1-0 scorelines, beating Rapid and Mainz. Felipe Coelho's side have extended their unbeaten run in the Conference League to three matches. With seven points, Universitatea sit 15th in the overall standings, just one point shy of the top eight. However, their attacking output is modest: they have scored only three goals so far, a total bettered by just five other teams.
- The Romanians have conceded no more than one goal in five of their last six Conference League matches.
- At home in this competition, the club have won five of their last six games (one draw).
- The team opened the scoring in seven of their last eight home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted line-up Universitatea Craiova (4-3-3)*
Pavel Isenko – Adrian Rus, Nicușor Bancu, Alexandru Romanchuk, Vasile Mogoș – Alexandru Cicâldău, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Vladimir Screciu – Tudor Băluță, Ștefan Baiaram, Steven Nsimba.
Defender Nicușor Bancu is suspended.
Sparta Prague
Sparta beat Legia 1-0 away in the last round. The Czechs have avoided defeat in seven of their last nine Conference League matches (six wins, one draw), and they did not concede more than one goal in any of those games. Across the main stage, Sparta have let in just two goals; only AEK Larnaca (0) have a better defensive record. Prague sit 11th in the group standings.
- At least one opponent failed to score in five of Sparta's last six Conference League games.
- The club have lost five of their seven most recent away fixtures in this competition (two wins).
- In six of their seven most recent away matches in the tournament, the Czechs scored no more than one goal.
Predicted line-up Sparta Prague (4-5-1)*
Peter Vindahl-Jensen – Adam Shevinski, Angelo Preciado, Matěj Rynes, Pavel Kadeřábek – Jaroslav Zelený, Velko Birmančević, Kaan Kairinen, Lukáš Haraslín, Patrik Vydra – Albion Rrahmani.
Prediction for Universitatea Craiova – Sparta Prague
Universitatea are enjoying one of their longest unbeaten runs in Conference League history. They have a strong chance of extending that sequence here: at home in this competition Universitatea remain unbeaten (seven wins, three draws). Those results are largely founded on a solid defensive record — in nine of their last ten home Conference League matches they conceded no more than one goal, and in six of those games they kept a clean sheet.
Sparta, meanwhile, have struggled away from home. In the Conference League the Czechs have lost five of their last seven away matches (two wins), with many defeats coming during qualifying rounds against lower-level opposition. In the main stage Sparta have scored five goals overall, four of which came in the opening round. On the road their attacking output has been modest: they have scored more than one goal in only one of their last seven away matches in this competition.
My prediction: Universitatea Craiova to avoid defeat and Under 3.5 goals
* The starting line-ups shown for each team are from their previous match in this competition.
