Europe - Champions League

Shkendija
22/07/2025 20:00
FCSB

Prediction :

 

goal range 2-4 goals

 

Macedonian champions Shkendija host their Romanian counterparts FCSB in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round on Tuesday. The Ballists will aim to boost their chances of qualifying for the next round with a win over the Red and Blues. Here is our prediction for the match.

Shkendija are en route to reaching the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round for only the second time in their history. Their first appearance at that stage came in the 2018-19 campaign following victories over Welsh side The New Saints and Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol in the first and second qualifying round respectively.

The Tetovo-based outfit will face a huge task edging out FCSB to repeat the same feat. Can they count on home support to secure victory on Tuesday and boost their chances of qualifying for the next round?

FCSB will head into this match bridging with confidence. The Red and Blues boast a richer Champions League history than Shkendija. They won the competition in 1986 (as European Cup) and reached the group phase of its rebranded version (the Champions League era) for the first time in 1994-95 season.

They have now made seven appearances in the main phase of competition. What are their chances heading into this match? Keep reading as we explore both teams' forms, team news, and more!

Shkendija vs FCSB Form

Shkendija and FCSB Last Matches

Shkendija
Shkendija Last matches
L W L D D W
Wins

2/6 (33%)

Draw

2/6 (33%)

Losses

2/6 (33%)

Average stats (Last 6 matchs)

2.33 Total goals
50% BTTS
0.83 Goals scored
1.5 Goals conceded
50% Over 2.5
50% Under 2.5

15 Jul 2025 - Champions League

Shkendija
2 :  1
The New Saints

8 Jul 2025 - Champions League

The New Saints
0 :  0
Shkendija

25 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

PFC CSKA Sofia
1 :  1
Shkendija

21 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

FC Koper
4 :  0
Shkendija

17 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

Shkendija
1 :  0
ACS Champions FC Arges

17 May 2025 - 1. MFL

Shkendija
1 :  3
FK Sileks Kratovo
W D W L W W
Wins

4/6 (67%)

Draw

1/6 (17%)

Losses

1/6 (17%)

Average stats (Last 6 matchs)

3.5 Total goals
67% BTTS
2.17 Goals scored
1.33 Goals conceded
83% Over 2.5
17% Under 2.5

15 Jul 2025 - Champions League

Shkendija
2 :  1
The New Saints

17 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

Shkendija
1 :  0
ACS Champions FC Arges

17 May 2025 - 1. MFL

Shkendija
1 :  3
FK Sileks Kratovo

7 May 2025 - 1. MFL

Shkendija
2 :  1
FK Rabotnicki Skopje

27 Apr 2025 - 1. MFL

Shkendija
3 :  3
Shkupi Cair

13 Apr 2025 - 1. MFL

Shkendija
4 :  0
Voska Sport
D D W L D D
Wins

1/6 (17%)

Draw

4/6 (67%)

Losses

1/6 (17%)

Average stats (Last 6 matchs)

2.17 Total goals
50% BTTS
1 Goals scored
1.17 Goals conceded
33% Over 2.5
67% Under 2.5

8 Jul 2025 - Champions League

The New Saints
0 :  0
Shkendija

25 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

PFC CSKA Sofia
1 :  1
Shkendija

21 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

FC Koper
4 :  0
Shkendija

11 May 2025 - 1. MFL

KF Gostivari
0 :  3
Shkendija

4 May 2025 - 1. MFL

Struga Trim Lum
1 :  1
Shkendija

23 Apr 2025 - Macedonia Cup

Struga Trim Lum
1 :  1
Shkendija
FCSB
FCSB Last matches
W W W D L W
Wins

4/6 (67%)

Draw

1/6 (17%)

Losses

1/6 (17%)

Average stats (Last 6 matchs)

2.83 Total goals
83% BTTS
1.83 Goals scored
1 Goals conceded
67% Over 2.5
33% Under 2.5

19 Jul 2025 - Superliga

Petrolul Ploiesti
0 :  1
FCSB

15 Jul 2025 - Champions League

Inter Escaldes
2 :  1
FCSB

12 Jul 2025 - Superliga

FCSB
1 :  1
AFC Hermannstadt

9 Jul 2025 - Champions League

FCSB
3 :  1
Inter Escaldes

5 Jul 2025 - Super Cup

FCSB
2 :  1
CFR Cluj

1 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

Utrecht
1 :  3
FCSB
W W W W W D
Wins

5/6 (83%)

Draw

1/6 (17%)

Losses

0/6 (0%)

Average stats (Last 6 matchs)

3.17 Total goals
83% BTTS
2.17 Goals scored
1 Goals conceded
67% Over 2.5
33% Under 2.5

12 Jul 2025 - Superliga

FCSB
1 :  1
AFC Hermannstadt

9 Jul 2025 - Champions League

FCSB
3 :  1
Inter Escaldes

5 Jul 2025 - Super Cup

FCSB
2 :  1
CFR Cluj

17 May 2025 - Superliga

FCSB
1 :  0
CS Universitatea Craiova

5 May 2025 - Superliga

FCSB
3 :  1
FC Dinamo Bucuresti 1948

20 Apr 2025 - Superliga

FCSB
3 :  2
CFR Cluj
W D W W L W
Wins

4/6 (67%)

Draw

1/6 (17%)

Losses

1/6 (17%)

Average stats (Last 6 matchs)

2.83 Total goals
67% BTTS
1.83 Goals scored
1 Goals conceded
50% Over 2.5
50% Under 2.5

19 Jul 2025 - Superliga

Petrolul Ploiesti
0 :  1
FCSB

15 Jul 2025 - Champions League

Inter Escaldes
2 :  1
FCSB

1 Jul 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

Utrecht
1 :  3
FCSB

28 Jun 2025 - Clubs Friendlies

Almere City
2 :  3
FCSB

23 May 2025 - Superliga

CFR Cluj
1 :  1
FCSB

11 May 2025 - Superliga

Universitatea Cluj
0 :  2
FCSB

Shkendija - FCSB: Form Analysis

Shkendija & FCSB Squad Analysis

Shkendija head coach Jeton Bekjiri has his full-strength squad for this match. Senegalese forward Fabrice Tamba, who opened the scoring for the North Macedonia champions in the second leg against The New Saints, is expected to lead the attack for the team. 

Goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye is expected to return to goal for the team. The Gambian goalie played a key role in both legs against The New Saints, producing critical saves to keep the game level and preserve their chance before the late breakthrough. Also, FCSB may have to watch out for Besart Ibraimi, who is the team's leading scorer in Europe with 16 goals. 

FCSB's manager Elias Charalambous will be deprived of some of his key players heading into this match. Last season's top performers Octavian Popescu and Daniel Birligea are both ruled out due to injuries. 

However, they are still in good shape to stage a formidable opposition against the hosts on Tuesday. Forwards David Miculescu, Darius Olaru, and Marius Stefanescu – who all found the back of the net in aggregate victory over Inter Escalades – are all available to start. Center-back Mihai Popescu will return to the defense alongside 1.92m-tall Cameroonian stopper Joyskim Aurélien Dawa.

Most goals and assists

CD Huachipato Shkendija
CD Huachipato FCSB
Top Goalscorer
Top Goalscorer
Romania F. Tanase (1 Goals) ,  Romania A. Stoian (1 Goals)

Shkendija - FCSB Key Points

  1. Shkendija have scored or conceded in 18 of their last 20 competitive matches in regulation time.
  2. Between 2-4 goals have been scored in five of Shkendija’s last seven home competitive matches.
  3. Between 2-4 goals have been scored in five of FCSB’s last six competitive matches.
  4. Between 2-4 goals have been scored in four of FCSB’s last five competitive away matches.

Our Shkendija vs FCSB Prediction

Both teams will aim for a strong start on Tuesday in Skopje to secure an advantage heading into the second leg. FCSB could be considered the favorites to win this match despite playing away from home. However, we expect a moderate scoreline given both teams' recent results. 

Between 2-4 goals have been scored in five of Shkendija's last seven competitive home matches. Five of FCSB's last six competitive matches have also witnessed a similar goal range, including four of their last five competitive away fixtures. Hence, our Shkendija vs FCSB prediction is goal range 2-4 goals.

Shkendija vs FCSB - Other Interesting Predictions

FCSB win

Odds 1.95
FCSB boast a richer history and more experience at this level of the competition than Shkendija and could be considered favorites to ace the tie. They have also been formidable on the road recently, winning four of their last seven competitive away fixtures and drawing two. Hence, we also tip them to win the match.