- Bookies: Voluntari are the slight favourites to win this game with the bookies, however they have a poor head-to-head record against their visitors (W2, L2).
- Away form: Steaua Bucuresti have lost their two away games in the Championship Group of Liga 2, failing to score on both occasions.
- Home defence: Voluntari have conceded a single goal across their last two home games.
Playoff pushers meet in local derby
FC Voluntari currently occupy third spot in the Liga 2 Championship Group 2026 on 49 points, while CSA Steaua Bucuresti are a further four points adrift in fourth after four games of the Championship Group.
Both sides need to get as many points on the board as possible in this local derby, which comes with added importance as the two sides remain within touching distance of one another.
Voluntari are the favorites to win this one, as they have won three of their last five matches (W3, D1, L1), while Steaua have lost two and won three of their last five games (W3, D0, L2).
Contrast in tactics should make for an interesting chess match
Voluntari's structure
Christian Florin Pirvu is a structure-first manager, who has recently instilled a more disciplined and compact defensive approach to this FC Voluntari side. They don’t press high up the field or go all out when out of possession, but rather sit in a compact block and look to disrupt the rhythm of the opposition.
Steaua's attacking plan
Daniel Oprita is a tactically proactive manager who has a team who like to play with width, tempo and an attacking edge. They press aggressively, and their players are adept at transitioning from defence to attack.
Head-to-head and outlook
The last four H2H meetings have resulted in two wins apiece, but Steaua have not managed a win in their last two away trips to Voluntari. With such contrasting tactical approaches, this derby is likely to result in a chess match.
The verdict
Voluntari have a perfect record at home in the current Championship Group (W2), while Steaua have lost both away fixtures and failed to score in either.
Back the hosts to edge a close contest. 1.67 is a fairly short, yet fair line for under 2.5 goals to be scored.
- Voluntari have scored six goals in their recent two home games and are averaging 3.00 goals per-game at home.
- They have been solid defensively, conceding just once in their previous two home matches.
- Steaua are likely to be frustrated by Voluntari’s compact nature, while Rubio, who has scored three of Steaua’s last eight goals over the previous five games, will need to be at his best in order to cause them problems.
