CFR Cluj vs FC Lugano Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 29/07/2025, 13:30  by Devesh Jaganath in Europa League Predictions

CFR Cluj and FC Lugano will resume their battle to reach the Europa League in the second leg of the second qualifying round on Thursday. The winner of this tie between Ceferistii and Bianconeri will face either Levski Sofia or Braga in the next round. Let’s get into the match prediction. 

CFR Cluj were certainly the happier of these sides after the first leg, as they managed to hold their opponents to a goalless draw in Switzerland last week. 

The Railwaymen were afforded only 22% possession and played most of the match in their own half. However, they were resolute in defence and limited Lugano to just a single shot on target. 

The hosts made wholesale changes to their squad last weekend when they lost 2-0 to Arges Pitesti - before that, they had gone 18 home games unbeaten across all competitions. 

Meanwhile, Lugano have exited in the playoff stage of qualifying for this competition in each of the last two seasons. They reached the round of 16 in the Conference League last term. 

Notably, last week’s fixture was the Bianconeri’s first competitive game in two months, and it was followed by a loss in their opening league game of the season, 2-1 to Thun over the weekend. 

This is Lugano’s first away game for the season. Their record at the back-end of last season was poor, with just two wins in their final 11 outings (W2 D1 L8).