- FC Arges have won the last two meetings including a 1-0 away win against FCSB in Liga I five months ago.
- FCSB are unbeaten at home in all competitions (W3, D1) and average 2.00 goals per-game at home.
- FC Arges are seeking a first away win in all competitions after four attempts (D2, L2) and average just 0.50 goals per-game on the road.
FCSB favourites to take the spoils
FCSB are the clear favorites to win this one at 1.63, while FC Arges are listed as big outsiders at 5.49 and the tie at 3.6 makes little appeal. However, the head-to-head suggests this could be closer than the odds indicate as the visitors have won the last two matchups between the sides and will be familiar with the task at hand.
A clash of styles awaits when these two sides meet at Arena Nationala, Romania, as FCSB are a possession-based side that like to pressure the opposition with high pressing and quick passing, whereas FC Arges are compact and look to stay narrow and hit on the break. This FCSB vs FC Arges preview points to a tactical battle that could be decided by fine margins.
FCSB have more to offer
Marius Baciu has put more bite into his side with an increase in pressing intensity and quicker tempo in the final third, and they have won three of their four home games this season, averaging 2.00 goals at Arena Nationala.
Bogdan Andone's side have no away wins from four attempts in all competitions (D2, L2) but they have caused problems for the Romanian champions in the head-to-head and will make this fixture awkward for the hosts, who failed to win in their last home clash with FC Arges. Our FCSB vs FC Arges prediction leans toward the home side, though the visitors have enough resilience to keep things competitive.
Visitors can make a contest of it
A run of one win, one tie and three defeats in the last five tells the story for FCSB, while FC Arges come into this on the back of a poor run themselves with no wins, two ties and three defeats from their last five.
A 2-0 defeat at AFC Hermannstadt, followed by a 2-1 extra-time win at FC Dinamo Bucuresti and a 4-0 friendly defeat to Union St.-Gilloise last time out, sums the recent results for FCSB.
Ricardo Matos has been the most creative player for FC Arges, providing three assists in a side that has scored just four goals in their last five matches. Adel Bettaieb has been their main man up top, however, with three goals in those matches.
FCSB have the greater quality and should be capable of getting the job done here, but FC Arges are stubborn and will not be easily beaten so we're expecting a tight game and not a shootout. The goal line looks too close with Under 2.5 goals at 1.87 and Both Teams to Score - No at 1.83. The FCSB vs FC Arges betting tips also point to a low-scoring contest.
