The first ninety minutes weren’t enough to clearly indicate who between FCSB and Shkendija has the better chance of advancing to the third qualifying round of the upcoming UEFA Champions League. The first leg ended with a 1-0 victory for the Macedonian side, who capitalized on their first goal of the season from Alhassan in front of their home fans. After taking the lead, the match became increasingly tense, with both teams ending the game with ten men after straight red cards were shown to Qaka and Tănase. FCSB now faces the task of overturning the one-goal deficit and must win by at least two goals to qualify directly for the next round without going through extra time or penalties. It’s a physical effort the Romanian side would gladly avoid, especially considering they are already busy with their domestic league and have a fiery derby coming up against Dinamo Bucharest this weekend. Speaking of the SuperLiga, Charalambous’ team has had a rocky start, earning only four points in three matches. The mood is quite different in Bekiri’s squad, who—still in preseason mode—can fully focus their energy on the Champions League qualifiers. With two out of three possible results in their favor, Shkendija is one step away from reaching the third qualifying round of the UCL—something they've achieved only once before, in the 2018/19 season. Despite having a slight advantage, emerging unscathed from the Arena Națională in Bucharest will be no easy task. It’s one of Europe’s most intimidating stadiums, with a capacity close to 60,000. A setting that can easily shake the nerves of teams less accustomed to the European stage.

FCSB's Recent Form and Key Stats

FCSB is going through a rough patch, coming off two consecutive defeats that have impacted team morale and confidence. After losing 1-0 to Shkendija in the first leg of this UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, the Romanian side suffered another setback in the league, falling 2-1 at home to Farul Constanța on Matchday 3 of the SuperLiga.

The overall record from their last five matches in all competitions is far from promising: one win, one draw, and three defeats, with an average of 0.8 goals scored and 1.2 conceded per game. This negative trend is also creating tension within the squad, as highlighted by the two red cards collected in their last two official appearances.

Particularly concerning is their recent fragility at home. The loss to Farul was their first at the Arena Națională in over four months; the previous home defeat dates back to March 6, when FCSB lost 3-1 to Olympique Lyon in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16. So far in the 2025/26 season, their home league record has been underwhelming: one draw and one defeat, with three goals scored and two conceded.

Shkendija's Recent Form and Key Stats

Shkendija has started the new season on the right foot, confirming themselves as a solid and tough team to beat. In their first three official matches (all in European competition), the Macedonian champions remain unbeaten, showing a well-organized defense and great compactness.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg against TNS in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, Bekiri’s men won the return leg 2-1 in extra time. In their most recent match—this second-round tie—they defeated FCSB 1-0 at home, with Alhassan scoring in the 65th minute.

Even though the Macedonian league has yet to kick off, Shkendija already appears to be in good physical and mental condition: only one goal conceded and two clean sheets in their first three official outings. Their away form is also encouraging: the team has lost only one of their last twelve away matches.

FCSB vs Shkendija Prediction and Tactical Overview

Despite a shaky start to the season, FCSB has all the tools to overturn the result from the first leg and advance to the next round. According to BetMines' prediction for FCSB vs Shkendija, the home side has a 55% chance of winning, compared to just 21% for the visitors.

Charalambous’ squad will be counting on the passionate support of the Arena Națională, where last season they built much of their success in both the league and the Europa League, beating strong opponents like PAOK, Hamburg, and Midtjylland. Backed by their home fans, there’s a strong sense that FCSB has what it takes to turn around the 1-0 scoreline and hand Shkendija their first loss of the season.

Given the narrow margin between the two sides, it’s likely that both coaches will adopt a cautious approach, knowing how crucial every detail can be. The Romanians, missing the suspended Tănase, will need to take the initiative and look for the equalizer—without leaving too many gaps at the back.

On the other hand, Shkendija—who will also be without playmaker Qaka due to suspension—can’t simply sit back and defend. They’ll need to try to create chances and pose a threat going forward, especially if they fall behind.

According to BetMines’ algorithm, the match is expected to be tight and low-scoring: the outcome “Under 3.5 goals” appears the most likely. This prediction is backed by recent data, with this scenario occurring in six of FCSB’s last seven matches and in eleven of Shkendija’s last thirteen.

• FCSB vs Shkendija Prediction by BetMines: FCSB to win (1) – 55%
  
  
• FCSB vs Shkendija Prediction by BetMines: Under 3.5 goals – 73%

FCSB vs Shkendija Probable Lineups

FCSB (4-2-3-1): Tarnovanu; Cretu, Ngezana, Popescu, Radunovic; Chiriches, Sut; Miculescu, Olaru, Cisotti; Stoian. Coach: Elias Charalambous

SHKENDIJA (4-2-3-1): Gaye; Trumci, Fetai, Cake, Webster; Ramadani, Zejnullai; Tamba, Krasniqi, Krstevski; Ibraimi. Coach: Jeton Bekiri