Aberdeen vs FCSB Predictions

Aberdeen vs FCSB Predictions for Thursday’s Europa League play-off clash at Pittodrie. Aberdeen host FCSB on 21 August in the Europa League qualification final first leg, with the Romanian side targeting a strong result ahead of the return fixture. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Europa League | Aug 21 2025 at 7:45 pm UK at Pittodrie Stadium

Aberdeen vs FCSB Predictions

Can Aberdeen Use Home Advantage to Overcome FCSB’s Fragile Defence?

• Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Edge
  • The Dons have won five of their last nine home games, and their only defeats came against Celtic, showing they thrive against lesser opposition.
• FCSB’s Defensive Collapse
  • The Romanian champions have conceded two or more goals in five of their last seven matches, with 20 goals let in across their last 13 games.
• Goals Expected in Both Ends
  • FCSB have seen 60% of their matches end with both teams scoring, with an average of 2.8 goals per game, underlining their defensive vulnerabilities.

Best Bet for Aberdeen vs FCSB

Thursday night in Pittodrie will see Aberdeen take on Romanian champions FCSB in what already feels like a decisive first leg of their Europa League playoff tie. For the Scottish side, it’s an opportunity to set the tone after a mixed start to their campaign. They may have been brushed aside by Hearts and Celtic in the league, both defeats ending 0-2, but a 3-0 win in the League Cup against Greenock Morton reminded everyone that the Dons still have teeth when given the chance to bite. The supporters are desperate for a big European night, and Pittodrie under the floodlights offers the perfect stage.

FCSB, on the other hand, arrive with plenty of questions hanging over them. They reclaimed their domestic title last season and even started with a Super Cup win, but things have been wobbly ever since. Their Champions League qualifying adventure fell apart quickly — they stumbled past Inter Escaldes with a sloppy away defeat, then completely lost their way against Shkëndija, falling 0-1 and 1-2. A place in the Europa League only came after edging past Drita, a tie in which they still shipped three goals. To put it kindly, their defence has resembled a sieve at times.

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Best Bet for this Match

Here at BettingTips4You we don’t complicate matters by offering ten different tips. We dig deep, weigh everything up, and give you just one selection that we trust most. For this clash, our Best Bet is Aberdeen to Win and Over 1.5 Goals in the Match.

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Why Back Aberdeen to Win and Over 1.5 Goals

The reasoning is fairly straightforward: Aberdeen may not be in sparkling league form, but their European pedigree at home, combined with FCSB’s fragile backline, points to a strong chance of the hosts scoring multiple goals. The Dons have won five of their last nine competitive games at Pittodrie, and the only defeats came against Celtic, who are operating on a completely different level. Against teams of FCSB’s quality, Aberdeen usually find a way to create chances and take them.

The Romanians have serious problems at the back. Conceding two or more in five of their last seven fixtures says it all. Even in their qualifying win over Drita, they allowed three goals across two legs. When you consider that their last attempt at Champions League football ended in embarrassment against much weaker opponents, it’s hard to believe their defence will suddenly become watertight in Scotland.

Up front, Aberdeen have the weapons to cause problems. Duk Yengi is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by players like Shinnie and Aouchiche driving the midfield. Against Morton, they looked liberated, and the goals came naturally. They’ll be fully aware that this first leg is their best chance to take control, because heading to Bucharest with work still to do is not the scenario they want.

As BettingTips4You.com expert Graham Hartshorn summarised:

“FCSB’s defence has been a mess all summer, and Aberdeen have enough quality at home to make them pay. Aberdeen to win with a couple of goals in the game looks the smartest call.”

A 2-1 home win feels like the most likely outcome. FCSB usually find a way to score, but their defending will almost certainly cost them, especially against an Aberdeen side eager to make a statement.

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