FCSB – Voluntari

FCSB will host FC Voluntari in the opening round of the Romanian Liga 1, with the home side rated as a 1.40 odds favorite by the bookmakers.

FCSB (previously known as Steaua Bucharest) ended up on the second place last season in Liga 1 despite being considered favorites, and their job is expected to be even harder this season. The hosts made a couple of pretty good signings in the off season, but overall they don`t necessarily look better than last year. Most importantly, they hired a puppet manager with no experience as head coach at professional level, Nicolae Dica, who was brought in specifically to set up his team the way the owner dictates. The move definitely has a high potential to fail.

Voluntari finished 9th last season in the league, but achieved the best performance in club history by winning the Romanian Cup. They backed that up with a win in the Super Cup early this season, and the team is looking pretty decent under manager Claudiu Niculescu. The visitors are backed from public funds, they have an Ok roster (didn`t make many changes in the off season) and have a good shot to reach the playoffs considering the weak state of the Romanian league.

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Team news & lineups:

FCSB might miss its best player, Alibec, who is doubtful and is expected to sit on the bench. FCSB right winger Enache is also highly dountful. As for Voluntari, they will miss Cernat and Novac.

FCSB: Nita – Pleasca, Balasa, Larie, Morais – Pintilie, Popescu – Jakolis, Budescu, Tanase – Gnohere

Voluntari: Balauru – Balaur, Maftei, Popescu, Acsinte – Rauta, Lazar – Deac, Marinescu, Olteanu – Balan

FCSB is definitely a better team than Voluntari and is a deserving favorite in this match, but odds of 1.35 – 1.40 seem too low.

The hosts made many roster moves in the Summer (in and out) and they have a new, inexperienced manager, so it might be a bit tricky for them to find their groove right from the first match of the season – especially as they could be without Alibec, who single handedly won a lot of points for FCSB last season.

Voluntari on the other hand is a decent team in Liga 1 and they didn`t make many changes compared to last season, not losing any important players. The visitors already have a match under their belt, winning the Super Cup against champions Viitorul, which should be an advantage. Morale is also high after the performances achieved in the last few months.

This looks like a case of individual talent (FCSB) against discipline and good chemistry (Voluntari). The visitors seem to be a better glued team right now and that should allow them to at least keep the match close.

Last season the two meetings ended 3-2 for FCSB and 2-2. The last (and only) time FCSB won by more than 2 goals against Voluntari was back in 2015.

My tip on this clash will be FC Voluntari to cover the 1.5 goal handicap, 1-0 or 1-1 would be my call here. Prediction: FCSB – Voluntari 1-0.

Pick: Voluntari +1,5
Odds: 1.77 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.16
Event date: 16 July