CSU Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia - Live Stream
View the live stream and TV coverage details and live score for the 2026/2027 UEFA Europa League play-off Match - CSU Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia.
Romanian champions Universitatea Craiova host Armenian title holders Ararat-Armenia at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium in Craiova, Romania, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time/EEST, which is 6:00 p.m. CET (7:00 p.m. CEST) and 1:00 p.m. US Eastern Time. Craiova dropped out of Champions League qualifying against Levski Sofia before narrowly eliminating KuPS in the Europa League’s third qualifying round, while Ararat-Armenia also moved across from the Champions League after surrendering a 2-1 first-leg advantage and losing 3-2 on aggregate to Celje. The Romanian hosts enter after a 1-1 domestic draw with Oțelul Galați, whereas Ararat-Armenia have won their opening three league matches and most recently defeated Van 2-0. With both reigning national champions now one tie away from the Europa League phase, Craiova will seek a valuable home advantage before the August 27 return leg in Armenia.
How to watch CSU Craiova vs Ararat-Armenia - UEFA Europa League play-off match
| Country / Region | Channel / Package / Streaming |
|---|---|
| Armenia | |
| Romania |
Team news
Universitatea Craiova
Craiova remain without midfielder Alexandru Iamandache and goalkeeper Pavlo Isenko, both of whom are recovering from knee injuries. Laurențiu Popescu should therefore continue in goal.
Coach Filipe Coelho must decide between Steven Nsimba and Assad Al-Hamlawi at centre-forward. Al-Hamlawi started the weekend draw against Oțelul, but Nsimba is expected to return for the European fixture.
Captain Nicușor Bancu should operate on the left of Craiova’s midfield, with Vladimir Screciu, Oleksandr Romanchuk and Bogdan Rus forming the three-man defence. Ștefan Baiaram and David Matei are expected to support the central striker.
Ararat-Armenia
Ararat-Armenia have reported no new injuries and coach Manuel Tulipa should have a fully fit squad available.
Tulipa heavily rotated his team for the domestic victory over Van and is expected to restore most of the players who started the Champions League elimination against Celje.
Brazilian forward Sandro Lima should lead the attack, supported by Artur Serobyan and Yanis Banjaqui. João Bravim is expected to start in goal, while Wilson Valdez and Hakob Hakobyan Malis should anchor the defence.
Predicted line-ups
- Universitatea Craiova (3-4-3): Popescu; Rus, Romanchuk, Screciu; Mora, Mekvabishvili, Cicâldău, Bancu; Matei, Nsimba, Baiaram.
- Ararat-Armenia (4-3-3): João Bravim; Junior Júlio, Wilson Valdez, Malis, Grigoryan; Oliveira, Muradyan, Carlier; Serobyan, Sandro Lima, Banjaqui.