In this week 23 match on Jan 31st, CFR Cluj hosts Botoşani at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu in a clash of these two closely matched Liga 1 teams. Weather on match day is looking like a cloudy and cold day, with daytime temperatures of only -2 degrees, which will make playing unpleasant. 1st placed CFR Cluj is fresh off their 3-3 draw against FCSB. Octavian Popescu struck first for FCSB in the 24th minute on a feed from Andrei Cordea, but Gabriel Debeljuh got the equalizer for CFR Cluj in the 36th minute . CFR Cluj looks to continue their winning ways, having 9 wins in their last 10 matches, while in their last match, Botoşani recorded a 1-0 shutout win against Sepsi. Papa scored the first goal for Botoşani in the 41st minute, and that was all the excitement the two teams could muster In the end, Sepsi was frustrated by Botoşani’s defence and couldn’t put any tallies on the board. Botoşani ended the match with the shutout victory. Botoşani is looking for direction having earned 14 points in their last 10 matches.
On Sep 11th, Botoşani hosted CFR Cluj in their last match together. Botoşani won by a score of 1 to 0. Herve Kage struck first for Botoşani in the 71st minute, and with that single goal the scoring was complete. Neither team could manage anything else At the end of 90 a dissapointed CFR Cluj couldn’t manage to score, and Botoşani took the shutout win.
Botoşani’s most prolific scorer has been Malcom Edjouma. He has netted 2 goals over the last five matches. Gabriel Debeljuh has been the most effective weapon for CFR Cluj lately. The Croatian attacker has netted three goals in his last five matches.