Ararat-Armenia vs Universitatea Craiova

UEFA Europa League action shifts to Yerevan on 27 August as Ararat-Armenia host Universitatea Craiova in the second leg of their play-off tie, with a coveted league-phase spot and its prize money on the line. Craiova currently sit sixth in Liga I after a mixed start, while Ararat-Armenia top the Armenian Premier League as defending champions, having already eliminated a Romanian side from Europe last season. Form clearly favors the hosts. Ararat-Armenia have won all three league games this season, with forwards Sandro Lima and Alioune Ndour both among the goals. Craiova, meanwhile, have split their four league matches and were thrashed 5-1 by Dinamo, though Carlos Mora was the hero in their qualifying win over KuPS Kuopio. The two clubs have never faced each other before, so this tie breaks new ground. A defeat for either side means a drop into the Conference League, raising the stakes considerably. Our prediction: 1-1