Preview:FCSB vs Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

With Europa League qualification the reward for the winner, FCSB will face visitors Aberdeen in the second leg of their qualifying tie on Thursday at Arena Nationala.

The two sides could not be separated in the first leg, drawing 2-2 on August 21, with Aberdeen successfully wiping out the hosts' 2-0 advantage on the night.

Match preview

Though FCSB will be disappointed to have thrown away a two-goal lead, they were reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute when they were winning 1-0, and a draw away from home in Europe should be seen positively.

Boss Elias Charalampous's side are fourth last in 13th place in the Romanian top flight with five points from seven fixtures, games that they conceded 12 times in.

The home team have conceded at least twice in each of their past three matches, but they did net on four occasions in that period, while also scoring three times in their previous outing.

Ros-albastrii are winless in three games - drawing twice - and they lost five of their prior seven in all competitions.

FCSB could struggle on Thursday if their home form is any indicator given they have been beaten in five of their seven most recent matches at Arena Nationala while only winning once.

Aberdeen managed to produce 15 shots from inside the penalty area against their opponents in the first leg, but they only fashioned one big chance in the clash.

The Scottish side have been productive in the final third having found the back of the net five times in their two most recent games, but they have conceded two goals in three of their four matches in 2025-26.

Jimmy Thelin's side were eliminated at this stage of their Europa League qualification campaign last term, and they have not advanced past the initial qualifying rounds of the competition in their last nine attempts.

The Reds have played four games this season, but they have lost two, been held to one stalemate and triumphed in just one of their matches.

Aberdeen beat Morton 3-0 in the Scottish League Cup on August 16 in their only away fixture of 2025-26, but they suffered four losses in each of their past four competitive games on their travels.

FCSB Europa League form:

FCSB form (all competitions):

Aberdeen Europa League form:

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

Team News

FCSB winger Juri Cisotti was sent off in the first leg and will miss out, so perhaps Darius Olaru will fill in on the left of attack.

Midfielders Vlad Chiriches and Adrian Sut performed excellently in a double pivot, especially when their side were down to 10 men, and they can be expected to feature.

Aberdeen striker Kusini Yengi could be flanked by wide forwards Nicolas Milanovic and Topi Keskinen.

Thelin deployed a midfield two in the first leg, and Ante Palaversa and Sivert Heltne Nilsen are candidates for selection on Thursday.

Centre-backs Alfie Dorrington and Jack Milne are likely to play in front of goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

FCSB possible starting lineup:

Tarnovanu; Cretu, Graovac, Popescu, Pantea; Chiriches, Sut; Miculescu, Tanase, Olaru; Birligea

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Jensen, Dorrington, Milne, Molloy; Palaversa, Nilsen; Milanovic, Aouchiche, Keskinen; Yengi