FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Match Preview
A massive Bucharest Derby sets the Arena Națională alight on Sunday, 21 December 2025. This edition of the “Derby de România” features huge stakes at both ends of the table. FC Rapid București enter the clash as league leaders (1st, 39 points) but are wobbling significantly, having lost three of their last five matches across all competitions. FCSB, currently 9th with 28 points, are desperate to climb into the playoff spots (Top 6). Despite a defensive injury crisis, the hosts carry momentum from a morale-boosting European win over Feyenoord and a solid victory away at Unirea Slobozia.
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Match Info
- Competition: Liga I (Matchday 21)
- Venue: Arena Națională, Bucharest (Capacity: 55,634)
- Date: Sunday, 21 December 2025
- Kickoff: 20:00 EET | 18:00 GMT
- Referee: TBC (CCA Appointment)
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Match Stakes
FCSB (9th — 28 pts):
- Win → Moves to 31 pts; a massive step towards the Championship Playoff zone
- Draw → Maintains the status quo but risks falling further behind the top 6
- Loss → A painful blow to pride; gap to the playoffs could widen critically
FC Rapid București (1st — 39 pts):
- Win → Moves to 42 pts; silences critics after recent poor form and solidifies top spot
- Draw → A decent result in an away derby; keeps the point tally ticking
- Loss → Crisis mode fully activated; lead at the top likely evaporates
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Team News
FCSB:
- Defensive Crisis: The hosts are decimated at the back. Joyskim Dawa (Knee), Mihai Popescu (Knee), Siyabonga Ngezana (International Duty), and David Kiki (International Duty) are all out.
- Attack Blows: Top strikers Daniel Bîrligea and Denis Alibec are inactive.
- Midfield: Baba Alhassan is away on international duty.
- David Miculescu is questionable.
FC Rapid București:
- Attack: Key forward Boris Burmaz (Knee) and Antoine Baroan are out.
- Defense: Alexandru Pașcanu and Diogo Mendes are unavailable.
- Midfield: Jakub Hromada is questionable.
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
FCSB
- 16/12 — 2–0 vs Unirea Slobozia (Liga I)
- 12/12 — 4–3 vs Feyenoord (Europa League)
- 07/12 — 0–0 vs Dinamo București (Liga I)
- 04/12 — 0–3 vs UTA Arad (Cup)
- 01/12 — 2–1 vs Farul Constanța (Liga I)
FC Rapid București
- 14/12 — 0–2 vs Oțelul Galați (Liga I)
- 09/12 — 0–0 vs FC Botoșani (Liga I)
- 02/12 — 1–2 vs FC Argeș (Cup)
- 29/11 — 4–1 vs Csikszereda (Liga I)
- 24/11 — 0–3 vs CFR Cluj (Liga I)
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 18/08/2025 — Rapid 2–2 FCSB (Liga I)
- 27/04/2025 — Rapid 1–2 FCSB (Liga I)
- 17/03/2025 — FCSB 3–3 Rapid (Liga I)
- 02/03/2025 — Rapid 0–0 FCSB (Liga I)
- 28/10/2024 — FCSB 0–0 Rapid (Liga I)
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
FCSB (4-2-3-1)
Târnovanu; Crețu, Chiricheș, Haruț, Radunović; Șut, Lixandru; Băluță, Olaru, Oct. Popescu; Tănase
FC Rapid București (3-4-3)
Siegrist; Manea, Săpunaru, Ignat; Onea, Kait, Christensen, Borza; N’Jie, Boupendza, Petrila
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Impact Bench
FCSB: Pantea (Energy), Edjouma (Aerial threat)
FC Rapid București: Papeau (Dribbling), Hasani (Creativity)
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Tactical Analysis
FCSB
Elias Charalambous faces a nightmare in defense. Missing almost his entire starting backline means FCSB must defend by attacking. Expect Darius Olaru to drive the team forward aggressively, trying to keep the ball away from their makeshift defense. The recent 4–3 win over Feyenoord showed they can score but are extremely vulnerable at the back.
FC Rapid București
Marius Șumudică’s side is in a slump, struggling to break down deep defenses (see 0–0 vs Botoșani and 0–2 vs Oțelul). However, against an FCSB side that must attack, Rapid’s transition game through Claudiu Petrila and Clinton N’Jie could be lethal. They will target FCSB’s depleted center-back partnership relentlessly.
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Key Battles
- Olaru vs Săpunaru — FCSB’s engine vs Rapid’s veteran leader
- Tănase vs Ignat — False 9 movement vs young defender
- Boupendza vs Chiricheș — Physical striker vs experience (and potential lack of pace)
- Petrila vs Crețu — Speed mismatch on the flank
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Spotlight Players
FCSB — Darius Olaru
The captain is the heart and soul of this team. With the strikers out, he needs to provide the goals and the leadership to drag FCSB through this crisis.
FC Rapid București — Aaron Boupendza
With Burmaz out, the scoring burden falls on Boupendza. He needs to rediscover his touch to exploit a ravaged FCSB defense.
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Prediction
FCSB 2–2 FC Rapid București
This has “goal-fest” written all over it. FCSB simply cannot defend with their current absentees, but their attack is firing. Rapid are leaking goals themselves and look shaky. A chaotic, high-scoring draw seems the most likely outcome in a derby fueled by passion and defensive errors.
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Betting Insights
- Over 2.5 Goals — High Probability (Defensive crises on both sides)
- Both Teams to Score — YES
- Double Chance — FCSB or Draw (Home advantage is key)
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — Where to Watch
- Romania: Digi Sport 1, Prima Sport 1, Orange Sport 1
- International: AntenaPlay
FCSB vs FC Rapid București — FAQs
Q: When is the FCSB vs Rapid match?
A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 21 December 2025, at 20:00 local time (EET).
Q: Is Joyskim Dawa playing?
A: No. The FCSB defender is out with a knee injury.
Q: Who is the favorite?
A: It is too close to call. Rapid are higher in the table, but FCSB have better recent form and home advantage.
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