Steaua Bucuresti (A) – Betting Preview

Written by Tamhas Woods.

The draw for the final qualifying round of this season’s Champions League has produced a new chapter in the history of Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s men facing Steaua Bucuresti for the very first time in competitive football. Though any journey to Eastern Europe is long and arduous, this should ultimately be a formality of a first hurdle.

Though current bookmaker averages reflect full and due confidence in an away win for City, the Romanian hosts will be underestimated at Guardiola’s peril. As an unseeded side in the previous round, Steaua negotiated a two-legged tie with Sparta Praha in a highly composed manner, holding the Czech heavyweights to a score draw in Prague, before enjoying a shutout in the return leg.

Short though the odds are on City winning the away leg, it is worth noting that the potential rewards for correctly guessing a City win (after a level half-time score) are disappointingly short. At present such a scenario unfolding is priced at (approximately) a meagre 73/25.

This is undoubtedly a reflection of the expectation that City will not hit full throttle from the off, and instead wear down an opposition side with inferior levels of conditioning. If possible, gamblers should explore the market which specifies a leader after a certain number of minutes.

Guardiola’s first European campaign with his new club begins in the spectacular surroundings of the Romanian national stadium. For the latest City and Champions League odds, visit Matchbook.

Of all the Steaua players, only one has first-hand knowledge of the British Premier League’s quality, with ex-West Bromwich defender Gabriel Tamaș set to marshal the defence against City’s newest and most dangerous acquisitions.

As a UEFA Elite Stadium, the Arena Națională will enable City to enjoy a Premier League-quality pitch and facilities. However, the capacity of 55,000 and the intimidating atmosphere that comes with it will negate much of that home-style comfort. With nothing taken for granted, the away leg offers a much wider range of markets with the potential for useful payouts.

HT/FT Market

Typically, Steaua’s defence plays in a very compact style which often serves to frustrate, yet City must persevere regardless. A level score after 75 minutes is currently priced at around 5/2, and would work well alongside a “City Win after Level Half-Time Score” bet in an accumulator if possible.

Over/Under Market

Though his inclusion in this leg is not a certainty, the £47.5m acquisition of John Stones from Everton has caused the average price for a City clean sheet to tumble, further diluting what was already an unattractive market for this fixture. With the expectation of an emphatic City win not particularly high, 28/5 for a “City Win with Under 1.5 goals scored” is a price which instantly rises to prominence when reviewing the long list.

Again, this recommendation relates to the patient and opportunistic game plan expected from City, especially since this leg comes just days before a tough trip to the Britannia Stadium in Guardiola’s second Premier League match.

Exact Scores & Handicapping

For all the intimidating qualities promised by Romania’s national arena, even a second-string City side is capable of securing an away goal at the very least. Few would be surprised to see Guardiola rest the most invaluable members of his squad ahead of the aforementioned visit to Stoke, and a 1-0 win for City in Bucharest is priced at around 13/2.

With the squad still adapting to a new regime, and starting XI places at a premium, it would not be the wisest move to back an emphatic City win. However, for the benefit of the most ardent blues in Manchester, the biggest Asian Handicap currently available on the market is presently –3.25 against City at a tempting, but somewhat treacherous 15/2.