PREVIEW: Universitatea Craiova Hosts FCSB in Romanian Cup Clash

BUCHAREST, Romania (Interstat) — A spot in the next round of the Cupa României is on the line Thursday as Universitatea Craiova hosts domestic rival FCSB in a knockout-stage match.

The fixture, scheduled for Feb. 12, 2026, at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco, pits a confident home side against a visiting FCSB squad seeking consistency.

Universitatea Craiova enters the cup tie in strong form, having recorded a decisive 4-0 victory over Petrolul Ploiești in its last match on Dec. 4, 2025. Their recent domestic and European results, including a two-legged triumph over Istanbul Basaksehir in August, suggest a team with potent attacking capability.

FCSB, one of Romania’s most decorated clubs, arrives with a more mixed recent record. Its last outing was a 1-1 home draw with Turkish side Fenerbahçe on Jan. 29 in continental competition. However, that result is part of a broader, challenging pattern. A review of its season shows heavy defeats, including a 4-1 loss at Dinamo Zagreb on Jan. 22 and a 3-0 loss at UTA Arad in domestic play on Dec. 3. Its campaign has been marked by high-scoring affairs, both for and against, but defensive stability has been elusive.

The historical rivalry and cup stakes add intensity to the matchup. Statistical analysis from Interstat’s game simulator projects a narrow 1-0 victory for the home side, Universitatea Craiova.

Thursday’s winner will advance in Romania’s premier domestic cup competition, adding early silverware to the 2026 campaign. For FCSB, the match is an opportunity to reset its trajectory with a statement win away from home. For Universitatea Craiova, it is a chance to leverage current momentum and home support to overcome a traditional power.

Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. local time in Craiova.