Match Prediction
Match Prediction
Poland
Lech Poznan
€41.45m
Cracovia
€17.38m
Preview
Here is our Lech Poznan vs Cracovia Krakow prediction as the curtain rises on the 2025-26 Ekstraklasa season. The reigning champions, Lech Poznan, get their title defense underway in front of a buzzing home crowd at the Enea Stadion on Friday, July 18, 2025. With a 19:30 GMT kickoff, all eyes will be on Niels Frederiksen's side to see if they can start the new campaign with a bang against a Cracovia Krakow team that always relishes the role of the underdog.
Lech Poznan, or 'Kolejorz' as they're affectionately known, enter this match not just as hosts, but as the team to beat. After securing the title last season, their ambitions are sky-high. The club has been proactive in the off-season, notably snapping up Swedish winger Leo Bengtsson, a player with a knack for winning titles himself. Described as a quick and effective attacker, he could be the fresh spark to an already potent lineup. The financial muscle is also on their side, with a squad valuation of €41.45m significantly overshadowing Cracovia's €17.38m. Their pre-season has been solid, culminating in a 2-1 friendly win over Chrobry Głogów, even while resting key figures like Mikael Ishak and Bartosz Mrozek, who are expected to return for this opener.
Across the pitch, Cracovia, or 'Pasy,' have had a summer of transition. With several players departing, they've been busy rebuilding and will be keen to prove they can upset the odds. They've shown flashes of promise in their friendlies, and with seasoned players like Kamil Glik marshalling the defense, they won't be a pushover. They'll be looking to cause an early-season headache for the champions and start their own campaign on a positive note.
When these two sides meet, it's rarely a dull affair. The historical head to head record since 2004 gives Lech a slight edge with 19 wins to Cracovia's 15, but the rivalry is always competitive. Their most recent encounter on April 21, 2025, ended in a 2-1 victory for Lech Poznan, a result that the bookies seem to expect again. For this upcoming match, the betting odds heavily favor a home win at 1.54, with a draw at 4.33 and an away victory for Cracovia priced at a distant 5.4.
However, both teams have a history of defying expectations. Who could forget Lech's stunning 3-2 away win against Fiorentina back in 2023, where they triumphed against odds of 9.25? Similarly, Cracovia proved their giant-killing credentials with a 1-0 away victory over Rakow Czestochowa in July 2024, overcoming odds of 6.0. These results are a timely reminder that in football, anything is possible.
So, where does this leave us for our Lech Poznan vs Cracovia Krakow prediction? Our AI has analyzed the data, and while it points towards a home victory, it does so with a degree of caution.
Considering Lech Poznan's status as defending champions, their home advantage at the Enea Stadion, and their superior squad depth, a victory is the most logical outcome. The addition of Leo Bengtsson adds another layer of attacking threat. However, the AI's moderate confidence level is a crucial detail. Cracovia will be organized and motivated, and the predicted 1:1 first-half score suggests they will put up a real fight. Ultimately, we expect Lech's quality to be the deciding factor in the second half, securing them a hard-fought 2-1 win to kick off their season.
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1 -185
Lech Poznan is expected to win with odds of -1851 -185
Lech Poznan is expected to win with odds of -185Over 2.5 -147
At least 3 goals will be scored in the matchYes -133
Both teams are expected to score1X&O1.5 -303
Home win/draw and over 1.5 goals
2:1
|
|
6
-
5
-
5
|
|
 Lech Poznan |
21-Apr-25
2:1
| Cracovia  |
| Cracovia |
19-Oct-24
0:2
| Lech Poznan |
| Lech Poznan |
28-Apr-24
0:0
| Cracovia |
| Cracovia |
28-Oct-23
1:1
| Lech Poznan |
| Lech Poznan |
06-May-23
3:0
| Cracovia |
| Cracovia |
23-Oct-22
0:0
| Lech Poznan |
| Cracovia |
06-Feb-22
3:3
| Lech Poznan |
| Lech Poznan |
06-Aug-21
2:0
| Cracovia |
| Cracovia |
03-Apr-21
2:1
| Lech Poznan |
Recent Matches of Lech Poznan| 07 Dec |
Cracovia.
|
-
| Lech Poznan.
| |
| 03 Dec | W |
Piast Gliwic.
|
0:2
| Lech Poznan.
|
| 30 Nov | D |
Wisla Plock.
|
0:0
| Lech Poznan.
|
Recent Matches of Cracovia
| 07 Dec | Cracovia. |
- |
Lech Poznan. | |
| 04 Dec | D |  Wisla Plock. |
0:0 |
Cracovia. |
Poland - Ekstraklasa| Team | Matches | Goals | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Gornik Zabrze | 17 | 27-19 | 30 |
| 2 |
Wisla Plock | 17 | 20-11 | 29 |
| 3 |
Jagiellonia | 15 | 27-18 | 28 |
| 4 |
Cracovia Krako | 17 | 23-19 | 26 |
| 5 |
Raków Często | 16 | 25-22 | 26 |
| 6 |
Lech Poznan | 16 | 27-24 | 25 |
| 7 |
Radomiak Radom | 17 | 33-28 | 25 |
| 8 |
Korona Kielce | 17 | 20-18 | 23 |
| 9 |
Zaglebie Lubin | 16 | 28-23 | 22 |
| 10 |
Pogon Szczecin | 17 | 26-30 | 20 |
| 11 |
GKS Katowice | 16 | 23-27 | 20 |
| 12 |
Widzew Łódź | 17 | 25-26 | 20 |
| 13 |
Motor Lublin | 16 | 22-26 | 20 |
| 14 |
Legia Warszawa | 16 | 19-18 | 19 |
| 15 |
Arka Gdynia | 17 | 14-32 | 18 |
| 16 |
Lechia Gdansk | 17 | 32-35 | 17 |
| 17 |
Nieciecza | 17 | 22-34 | 16 |
| 18 |
Piast Gliwice | 15 | 16-19 | 14 |
