​UTA – Rapid, match count of the 21st stage of the Romanian Championship, scheduled for Sunday, December 18, at 20:30 at the Franciscus Neumann Stadium, live on Digi Sport 1, Orange Sport 1 and Prima Sport 1.

In the last official match of 2022, UTA and Rapid meet in different positions: Arad players are fighting to get out of the relegation zone, while Juleste players want to consolidate their position in the playoffs.

UTA’s season has been disappointing and even the return of László Balint to the technical bench (two draws and two defeats) has not led the team back to 15th place with just 18 points from 20 matches.

UTA haven’t won at home since August and have the second-worst defense at home with 14 goals conceded (only bettered by Chindia).

The last success in the championship of Arad (2:1 on the road against “Botoshani”) was recorded on September 9, i.e. more than three months ago.

However, the last two matches, 3-0 in the Romanian Cup away to Mioveni and 0-0, also away to U Cluj in the Super Lig, give Laszlo Balint hope even if Rapid come to Arad.

“I hope the three extra days that UTA had to prepare for this game count. We believe in our potential. We are leaving after two games without conceding a goal. This is the last match in 2022 and I hope we end this year with our foreheads high in front of our own fans,” said the Bătrănei Doamne coach.

Rapid were left to focus solely on the championship after being relegated from the Romanian Cup, a season at the end of which they are celebrating their centenary.

Giulesteni comes from a 3-1 win over Petrolul at the National Arena and is in 4th place with 37 points after 20 stages.

Rapid have the second-best defense in the league behind Sepsi with 18 goals conceded, but have only scored nine times away from home, the fewest of the top 10 teams in the Super League.

“We are waiting for a battle match, on a difficult field, with a good team, which, in my opinion, does not deserve such a low place in the rating. It would be the biggest mistake to look down on those at UTA.

I’ve been at Rapid for 10 months and out of 30 league matches I’ve won 18 and drawn six if I’m not mistaken. I don’t think it was a bad year, but there were moments where we could have made it even better,” said Adrian Mutu, Rapid coach.

In the tour match on August 20 in Giulesti, Rapid defeated UTA 1-0 thanks to Junior Morais’ goal in the 17th minute.

Superbet offers odds of 1.40 on the prediction X2: a draw or a win for the guests in the match UTA – Rapid.

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