After 24 rounds of the 2025‑26 Romanian Liga 1, CFR Cluj sits top with 52 points, followed closely by FCSB (49) and Universitatea Craiova (47). The league has seen a surge to 2.6 goals per game, while the Portuguese Primeira Liga already crowns Porto as early leader with 58 points, setting a parallel battle for European spots.
Liga 1 Title Race Tightens
Current Standings
At the halfway mark, the top three Romanian clubs are separated by just five points:
- CFR Cluj – 52 points
- FCSB – 49 points
- Universitatea Craiova – 47 points
Goal Scoring Trends
The league’s offensive output has risen to an average of 2.6 goals per match, up from 2.1 before the winter break. Leading scorers include:
- Andrei Vlad (FCSB) – 14 goals
- Claudiu Bălan (CFR Cluj) – 12 goals
- Mihai Matei (Universitatea Craiova) – 12 goals
Transfer Activity
Recent moves aim to boost attacking options ahead of the spring run‑in:
- Lucas da Silva – Brazilian winger on loan to Gaz Metan Mediaș
- Alin Popescu – Former Liga 1 striker signed by Rapid București on a two‑year contract
Key Fixtures Shaping the Race
Clash of the Titans
The upcoming “Clasic” derby between CFR Cluj and FCSB on March 22 is expected to be decisive, with a projected attendance of 18,000 fans.
Other Crucial Matches
- Universitatea Craiova vs. Sepsi OSK – a chance to narrow the gap to the leaders.
- Relegation battle: FC Voluntari and Politehnica Iași fighting to avoid the playoffs, while Mioveni, Dinamo București, and Argeș Pitești occupy the bottom three.
Portuguese Primeira Liga – Early Leaders
Current Table
- Porto – 58 points (18‑2‑6)
- Benfica – 55 points (17‑3‑6)
- Sporting CP – 53 points (16‑4‑6)
Scoring Snapshot
Top scorers in Portugal include:
- Rui Torres (Benfica) – 16 goals
- Pedro Silva (Porto) – 15 goals
- João Mendes (Sporting CP) – 14 goals
Cross‑Border Implications
Romanian clubs targeting Champions League qualification are increasingly scouting Portuguese talent as a cost‑effective way to strengthen squads, exemplified by the loan of Lucas da Silva. Conversely, Portuguese giants are monitoring Romanian forwards such as Andrei Vlad, whose scoring form could attract a move to the Iberian league.
Bottom Line
Romania’s Liga 1 is entering a high‑stakes spring climax with a tight title race, rising goal totals, and strategic transfers. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Primeira Liga has already solidified its early hierarchy, mirroring the competitive intensity seen in the east. The outcomes of upcoming derbies will not only decide domestic honors but also shape each nation’s representation in Europe’s elite tournaments.
