FCSB will play host to Drita in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) third qualifying round clash on Thursday night. Both sides were knocked out of UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualifying last time out in Europe, and so are now fighting for a place in Europe's second tier competition.
Indeed, FCSB were knocked out 3-1 on aggregate by Shkendija after losing both legs, while Drita lost 3-0 on aggregate to Copenhagen, also losing both legs. Nonetheless, a positive result for either side here could go a long way in terms of how the second leg could go and the overall balance of the tie.
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FCSB vs Drita prediction: Score draw in cagey affair?
Key stats
- FCSB have lost five of their last six games in total in all competitions.
- Drita had won three matches in a row before losing both legs to Copenhagen.
- Three of Drita's previous four games in all competitions have seen two or fewer goals scored.
Correct score prediction: FCSB 1-1 Drita
Given that both sides have had a bad habit of losing in recent matches, we are expecting them to try and keep it tight at the back. We can see a draw being played out in the first leg in what could be a cagey encounter.
Pre-game odds and win probability: FCSB much fancied by bookmakers
- HOME: 7/20 (1.35) – 74.1%
- DRAW: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
- AWAY: 8/1 (9.00) – 11.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, FCSB are very much fancied by bookmakers to win on home soil and take an advantage into the second leg. A draw is rated at just over 20%, while a Drita victory on their travels is deemed highly unlikely at just oveer 11%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting between the two sides
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in a competitive outing, so it will no doubt be interesting to see how they match up against each other come Thursday night.
FCSB preview: Suspensions and injuries galore
FCSB will have to do without a couple of key players through suspension as both Florin Tanase and Siyabonga Ngezana, the former of whom scored a hat-trick against Dinamo Bucharest in the Romanian top flight last time out, serve a touchline ban.
Captain Darius Olaru is also ruled out through injury, but Octavian Popescu is available having recently recovered from his, while Stefan Tarnovanu has also served a suspension.
Predicted lineup: Tarnovanu (GK); Cretu, Graovac, M Popescu, Radunovic; Chiriches, Sut; Miculescu, O Popescu, Cisotti & Birligea
Romania Liga I 11/05/25
W
Universitatea Cluj
0
FCSB
2
Romania Liga I 05/05/25
W
Dinamo Bucharest
1
FCSB
3
Romania Liga I 27/04/25
W
Rapid Bucuresti
1
FCSB
2
Romania Liga I 20/04/25
W
CFR Cluj
2
FCSB
3
Romania Liga I 13/04/25
D
CS U Craiova
0
FCSB
0
Drita preview: Balaj suspended
Key midfielder Liridon Balaj is suspended for Drita after getting sent off against Copenhagen in Europe last time out. The visitors have no fresh injury concerns to report.
Predicted lineup: Maloku (GK); Be Krasniqi, Bejtulai, Mesa, Ovouka; Broja, Dabiqaj; Ajzeraj, Bl Krasniqi, Limaj & Manaj
Kosovo Superliga 22/12/24
W
KF Feronikeli
1
KF Drita
2
Kosovo Superliga 15/12/24
L
KF Gjilani
1
KF Drita
0
Kosovo Superliga 07/12/24
W
KF Dukagjini
0
KF Drita
2
Kosovo Superliga 25/11/24
W
KF Llapi
1
KF Drita
3
Kosovo Superliga 20/11/24
W
FC Suhareka
2
KF Drita
4
Player to watch: Arb Manaj
Arb Manaj is the main danger man for Drita, and could help them cause an upset at FCSB. Indeed, the striker boasts a total of three goals in European competitions already this term, and will certainly be hunting for more in Romania.