FCSB vs Manchester United tips and predictions: Hosts to have their say in Bucharest?

FCSB state of play 

Far from one of the Europa League big boys, FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, head into the final round of league-phase games with a real chance of gaining automatic qualification to the knockout stages. 

As things stand, FCSB sit in the top eight, but their position is a tenuous one, meaning that they’ll likely need to get a positive result here to avoid dropping into the play-off places. 

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Last time out in this competition, the Romanians twice came from behind to get the better of Azerbaijani side Qarabag, eventually winning 3-2, and they’ve now gone four Europa League matches without defeat, holding the likes of Hoffenheim and Olympiacos to draws. They’ll fancy themselves to compete against a Manchester United side that has struggled to be consistent this term. 

Manchester United state of play 

While the hosts flirt with the edge in terms of automatic qualification, the Red Devils have all-but ensured that they’ll progress as one of the top eight. 

Sure, their direct progression to the knockouts is yet to be mathematically confirmed, but they could lose this game and remain in the top eight quite easily. 

Will the visitors be confident of getting the job done in Bucharest? Well, they’ll head to the Romanian capital off the back of a hard-fought away win against Fulham, but following up one promising effort with another has been a huge issue for Ruben Amorim’s men, so don’t be too surprised if this is far from an easy evening for United.  

Key talking point: Birligea to be the main man 

If the hosts can provide sufficient service, then forward Daniel Birligea could very easily cause serious problems for a United rearguard that has wobbled at regular intervals during the current campaign. 

The 24-year-old has been a little quiet of late, but he does have eight goals to his name from just 13 appearances domestically this term, while he’s scored three in this competition too, averaging an eye-catching 0.56 goals per 90 minutes from just 0.44 xG per 90. 

FIRST’s top tip for FCSB vs Manchester United

Daniel Birligea to score any time - 19/5 (BetMGM)

An average of 2.24 shots per 90 minutes shows us that we’re talking about a man who is hungry for goals, and having thrived on the break against Midtjylland earlier in the campaign, Birligea looks a decent bet to trouble Thursday’s opponents at odds of 19/5.

Extra tips 

FCSB to score over 1.5 goals - 12/5 (BetMGM)

The hosts have shown a clear fondness for playing on the break, with them notching three in that style last time out in the Europa League, while it was a counter-attacking approach that saw them score multiple goals (and create plenty) at home to Midtjylland.  

Guarding against the break is something that this United team has struggled with all season long, while it’s not as if they’ve kept things tight on the road in this competition, keeping no clean sheets and conceding 1.66 goals on average, making odds of 12/5 look a little too friendly. 

Team news

The hosts do have a few absentees, the most notable of which is forward Darius Olaru, who picked up a knock four matches ago. Experienced defender Vlad Chiriches is also out having sustained an injury just after Christmas. 

For the visitors, both Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro are out, while Jonny Evans, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw are all doubtful.

FCSB vs Manchester United predicted line-ups

FCSB: Tarnovanu; Cretu, Ngezana, Dawa, Radunovic; Sut, Alhassan; Stefanescu, Tanase, Miculescu; Birligea (4-2-3-1)

Manchester United: Bayindir; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Diallo, Eriksen, Collyer, Dalot; Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund (3-4-3)

Form guide (all competitions)

FCSB: WDDLWWLDWW

Manchester United: LLLLDDWLWW