Ararat-Armenia vs CSU Craiova - Live Stream

View the live stream and TV coverage details and live score for the 2026/2027 UEFA Europa League play-off Match - Ararat-Armenia vs CSU Craiova.

Ararat-Armenia host Universitatea Craiova in the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off on Thursday, August 27, with the tie finely balanced following a 1-1 draw in Romania. Alexandros Malis gave the Armenian champions a 20th-minute lead in the opening leg before Nicușor Bancu equalised for Craiova 13 minutes later. The return match kicks off at 18:00 Central European summer time (20:00 local time in Yerevan / 12:00 noon US Eastern) at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia. With no away-goals rule, another aggregate draw after 90 minutes would send the contest into extra time and potentially penalties. The winner will advance to the Europa League league phase, while the defeated side will drop into the Conference League league phase.

How to watch Ararat-Armenia vs CSU Craiova - UEFA Europa League play-off match

Latest form and first-leg context

Ararat-Armenia produced a disciplined away performance in Craiova and return home with the aggregate score level at 1-1. Malis converted Hugo Oliveira’s delivery to open the scoring, but Bancu responded following an assist from Alexandru Cicâldău.

Manuel Tulipa rotated extensively for Sunday’s Armenian Premier League match against Sardarapat, resting most of the players who started in Romania. Ararat were held to a 1-1 draw but should bring back a refreshed first-choice XI for the European decider.

Craiova prepared with a 3-1 domestic victory over FC Voluntari. Steven Nsimba scored from the penalty spot and could replace Assad Al Hamlawi at centre-forward after beginning the first leg on the bench.

Team news

Ararat-Armenia

Ararat-Armenia have not reported any significant new injuries ahead of the second leg. Tulipa rested numerous regular starters against Sardarapat, including João Bravim, Alexandros Malis, Wilson Valdez, Junior Júlio, Karen Muradyan, Hugo Oliveira and Sandro Lima.

The coach is therefore expected to restore the side that earned the first-leg draw. Sandro Lima remains the likely central striker, although Alioune Ndour—who has scored three goals in four domestic appearances this season—provides an alternative. Artur Serobyan and Zidane Banjaqui should return on the flanks.

Universitatea Craiova

Craiova have suffered a major defensive setback after Adrian Rus sustained a suspected ACL injury during the victory over Voluntari. He is expected to miss the second leg and could face an extended absence. Nikola Stevanović is the leading candidate to take his position alongside Oleksandr Romanchuk and Vladimir Screciu.

Goalkeeper Pavlo Isenko and defender Alexandru Iamandache also remain unavailable because of knee injuries. Nsimba is pushing to start after scoring his seventh goal of the season against Voluntari, while Al Hamlawi could consequently drop to the bench.

Predicted lineups

Ararat-Armenia (4-3-3): João Bravim; Junior Júlio, Wilson Valdez, Alexandros Malis, Suren Grigoryan; Hugo Oliveira, Benny, Karen Muradyan; Artur Serobyan, Sandro Lima, Zidane Banjaqui.

Universitatea Craiova (3-4-3): Laurențiu Popescu; Oleksandr Romanchuk, Nikola Stevanović, Vladimir Screciu; Carlos Mora, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Alexandru Cicâldău, Nicușor Bancu; David Matei, Steven Nsimba, Ștefan Baiaram.