CSM Slatina (home)
- CSM Slatina are an all-action 4-4-2 side that plays with width and tries to get up the field quickly on the break.
- Mixed start - the hosts are in the same battle, having had a mixed start to the campaign that saw them bounce between wins, draws and defeats before the winter break.
- Slatina are currently 14th in Liga 2 with 22 points from 17 matches, but the recent departure of coach Claudiu Niculescu means they’ll be going into this cup tie under temporary management.
Metaloglobus (away)
- Metaloglobus Bucuresti have endured a tough season in the Romanian top division, currently sitting at the bottom of the table with 11 points from 24 games.
- A series of defeats, including a 1-0 loss at Rapid and a 2-4 loss at CFR Cluj, has seen the Bucharest club’s form drop in January 2026 and they’ll need to win this cup match to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.
Head-to-Head
They have pace and power to do that and have done well in direct duels with Metaloglobus, winning the most recent clash 1-0 away .
Key Players
-
Metaloglobus:
- Dragoș Huiban is the engine of Metaloglobus’s midfield, involved in the build-up play and many of their attacks.
- Up front, Omar Pašagić has delivered in the cups this season, and can be a threat on set plays or in transition as he is a quick, powerful player.
-
Slatina:
- Mahady Kayondo is a big, strong forward who is always involved in goals for Slatina and Andreas Mihaiu provides the width and skill to create chances.
Betting Insights
- Metaloglobus are the higher-tier side and are favored at 2.38, while Slatina are 2.94 and the draw is 3.05.
- The Both Teams to Score market is a little high at 1.78, so it should be backed in this instance with the weather in Slatina cold and cloudy at 2-4°C, which could slow the game down and increase the importance of set pieces and defensive discipline.
Prediction
However, we think the visitors are in a worse place than the bookies suggest and feel a draw or home win is the most likely outcome.
