The 2025/26 season of the Romanian Superliga starts with an interesting match between Otelul Galati and Petrolul Ploiesti on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 17:30 local time (15:30 GMT) at Stadionul Otelul in Galati, which can hold 13,500 fans. This Round 1 football game looks like it will be a tough one, but we don’t know who the referee will be.
Both clubs had mixed outcomes in the Liga 1 Play Offs last season and in the pre-season, which sets the scenario for a tactical fight. This match is great for football fans and bettors because Otelul Galati is playing at home and Petrolul Ploiesti wants to start the season off well.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
This section provides key insights to guide your Otelul Galati vs Petrolul Ploiesti prediction today. We’ll look at how both teams have been doing lately, their head-to-head history, and other important things that could affect the outcome. To make smart betting choices, you need to know how they play and how they have done in the past. Today’s Otelul Galati versus Petrolul Ploiesti forecast depends on how well each team uses its strengths. Let’s look at the data to see if there are any possible advantages.
Otelul Galati Results
Otelul Galati has been tough in their last few games, especially on defense, as they get ready to meet Petrolul Ploiesti. Their games from the 2024/25 season’s pre-season and late-season give us an idea of how they’re doing. Here is a summary of their last five games.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 27/06/25 | CF | Farul Constanța vs Otelul | 2-1 | L |
| 21/06/25 | CF | Otelul vs Csikszereda M. Ciuc | 1-1 | D |
| 16/05/25 | SL | Otelul vs Farul Constanța | 0-0 | D |
| 12/05/25 | SL | Petrolul vs Otelul | 1-3 | W |
| 04/05/25 | SL | Otelul vs FC Hermannstadt | 1-2 | L |
Otelul Galati’s recent performances show that their defense is quite solid, as they have only given up three goals in their previous six matches across all competitions. They showed they could take advantage of their opponents’ deficiencies when they beat Petrolul 3-1 in May 2025. But their loss against Farul Constanța before the season started shows that they might not be able to handle teams that push hard. The tie with Csikszereda demonstrates that they can compete, but they can’t score. Hosting this match offers them a small advantage because they have been playing well at home.
Petrolul Ploiesti Results
Petrolul Ploiesti is feeling good about the new season following a great pre-season and a good finale to the 2024/25 season. Their last few games indicate that they can score but aren’t always good at defense. Here is a breakdown of their last five games.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 03/07/25 | CF | Trnava vs Petrolul | 0-1 | W |
| 02/07/25 | CF | Vllaznia vs Petrolul | 0-2 | W |
| 25/06/25 | CF | Primorje vs Petrolul | 0-4 | W |
| 18/05/25 | SL | Poli Iași vs Petrolul | 0-2 | W |
| 12/05/25 | SL | Petrolul vs Otelul | 1-3 | L |
Petrolul Ploiesti’s pre-season form is great; they won three games in a row without giving up a goal, scoring seven goals in the process. Their 2-0 win over Poli Iași in the Liga 1 Play Offs shows how good they are at attacking, especially with players like Gheorghe Grozav playing well. But the 3-1 loss to Otelul in May 2025 showed how weak their defense was, especially against counterattacks. Their away form is still a worry because they haven’t been able to stay consistent on the road. This game will show how well they can turn their pre-season success into wins in real games.
Otelul Galati vs Petrolul Ploiesti Head-to-Head Results
The head-to-head history between Otelul Galati and Petrolul Ploiesti is very tight, with both teams having times when they were in charge. Their most recent meetings give us important information about this approaching fight. Here are the last five encounters between the two teams.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 12/05/25 | SL | Petrolul vs Otelul | 1-3 |
| 18/01/25 | SL | Otelul vs Petrolul | 0-0 |
| 23/08/24 | SL | Petrolul vs Otelul | 0-0 |
| 05/05/24 | SL | Petrolul vs Otelul | 2-1 |
| 27/01/24 | SL | Otelul vs Petrolul | 0-0 |
There have been five games between the two teams, and they have won one and drawn three, scoring an average of 1.83 goals per game. Otelul’s 3-1 triumph in May 2025 stands out because it shows how well they can take advantage of Petrolul’s weak defense. But the fact that they keep drawing shows that both teams are careful when they play each other, often canceling out each other’s biggest threats.
Predicted Lineups for the Football Match
The expected lineups for Otelul Galati and Petrolul Ploiesti give us an idea of how each squad would play in this first Superliga game. Based on recent performances and squad information, below are the expected starting elevens.
Otelul Galati Predicted Lineup
Otelul Galati are likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing defensive stability and quick transitions.
Cosmin Dur-Bozoanca (GK), Milen Zhelev (DF), Ne Lopes (DF), Julian Bonilla (DF), Razvan Trif (DF), Andrei Ciobanu (MF), Joao Lameira (MF), Diego Zivulic (MF), Stefan Bana (FW), Patrick (FW), Luca Andronache (FW)

Petrolul Ploiesti Predicted Lineup
Petrolul Ploiesti are expected to use a 4-2-3-1 setup, focusing on attacking width and a solid midfield base.
Raul Balbarau (GK), Kilian Ludewig (DF), Paul Papp (DF), Franjo Prce (DF), Yohan Roche (DF), Tidiane Keita (MF), Alexandru Mateiu (MF), Sergiu Hanca (MF), Tommi Jyry (MF), Valentin Gheorghe (MF), Gheorghe Grozav (FW)

Unavailable Players
Injuries and missing players can have a big effect on how well a team plays. We know that some players for Petrolul Ploiesti will not be able to play, but we don’t know who will be missing for Otelul Galati.
| Team | Player | Reason |
| Petrolul Ploiesti | Akosah-Bempah N. | Injury |
| Petrolul Ploiesti | Dumitriu L. | Injury |
| Petrolul Ploiesti | Fabricio Baiano | Knee Injury |
| Petrolul Ploiesti | Ticu V. | Ankle Injury |
Key Factors to Watch
There are a number of things that will affect the outcome of this Otelul Galati vs. Petrolul Ploiesti match. To be able to guess how the match will go, you need to know these things. Here are the most important things to think about:
- Otelul’s Strong Defense: Otelul’s defense is strong enough to stop Petrolul’s offense, as they have only given up three goals in their last six games;
- Petrolul’s worries about injuries: Petrolul’s defense might be weak because four players are out, including important defenders like Fabricio Baiano and Ticu V;
- Otelul has the home advantage: Playing in Stadionul Otelul gives Otelul a sense of comfort and support from their fans, which boosts their confidence;
- Petrolul’s Form Before the Season: Petrolul’s attacking potential is shown with three clean-sheet wins in the preseason, with Gheorghe Grozav scoring goals;
- Otelul’s 3-1 win against Petrolul in May 2025 gives them a mental edge in their most recent head-to-head match;
- Tactical Matchup: Otelul’s 4-3-3 formation may control the midfield, while Petrolul’s 4-2-3-1 formation depends on wide players to make opportunities;
- Player Form: Luca Andronache of Otelul and Gheorghe Grozav of Petrolul are two aggressive players to keep an eye on;
- Possible Fatigue: Petrolul’s recent schedule, which included several pre-season games, could make them tired early in the season.
Free Tips on Otelul Galati vs Petrolul Ploiesti
This section offers practical betting advice tailored to the Otelul Galati vs Petrolul Ploiesti match. These tips are derived from team form, historical data, and other influencing factors. Use them to inform your betting strategy:
- Low-Scoring Game: With an average of 1.83 goals in their last five head-to-heads and Otelul’s tight defense, betting on Under 2.5 Goals is a strong option.
- Otelul to Keep a Clean Sheet: Given Petrolul’s injury-hit defense and Otelul’s record of conceding just three goals in six games, a clean sheet for the hosts is likely.
- Both Teams to Score (No): Recent head-to-heads have seen multiple draws with no goals, and Petrolul’s depleted squad may struggle to score.
- First Half Draw: Both teams often start cautiously against each other, with three of their last five meetings goalless at halftime.
- Home Win or Draw: Otelul’s home advantage and recent win over Petrolul make them favorites to avoid defeat.
- Gheorghe Grozav to Score: Petrolul’s key forward has been in fine form, scoring in their last competitive match and pre-season games.
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Otelul Galati vs Petrolul Ploiesti Match Prediction 2025
Otelul Galati vs Petrolul Ploiesti odds favor a tight contest, with Otelul slightly ahead due to their home advantage and recent head-to-head success. Otelul’s defensive resilience, conceding just three goals in their last six matches, gives them an edge against a Petrolul side missing four key players, including defenders Fabricio Baiano and Ticu V. Their 3-1 victory over Petrolul in May 2025 highlights their ability to exploit weaknesses, particularly on counter-attacks. Petrolul’s pre-season form is promising, with seven goals scored in three wins, but their away struggles and injury concerns temper expectations. The head-to-head record, with three draws in five meetings, suggests a cautious approach, but Otelul’s home form and psychological edge tilt the balance. We predict a narrow 1-0 win for Otelul, with their solid backline likely to neutralize Petrolul’s attack. The Otelul Galati vs Petrolul Ploiesti odds reflect this, making a low-scoring game a safe bet.
Our Prediction: Otelul Galati 1-0 Petrolul Ploiesti
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Otelul Galati Win | 2.23 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 Goals | 1.52 |
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