All the calculations for saving from relegation and the play-off » Four teams are trembling, only one is in her hand

Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Monday, May 11, 2026, 10:59 p.m. / Updated Monday, May 11, 2026 11:03 p.m.
On Monday evening, the curtain was drawn on round number 8 from the Superliga play-out, at the end of the game FCSB – Unirea Slobozia 0-0. In a week, the line will be drawn and it will be determined exactly which teams are relegated directly to League 2, as well as which teams are going to the play-offs. The last stage of the play-out is expected to be a dramatic one, with many unknowns.
The mention is that all the calculations and scenarios are made starting from the idea that Unirea Slobozia will receive the Superliga license for the next season, so the people of Ialomi will not be excluded from the equations.
Before the last stage, the following aspects are clear, regardless of the result of the remaining matches to be played:
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Metalloglobus is the first team relegated directly to League 2;
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The first 5 placed in the play-out, FCSB, UTA Arad, FC Botoşani, Otelul and Csikszeredaare sure of remaining in the first league, having a sufficiently large difference from the rest of the combatants. They cannot go lower than 12th place, the last to be saved even without a dam;
All the calculations for saving from relegation to the Superliga
Thus, starting from the certain aspects before the last stage, 4 teams remain in the fight for salvation from relegation and the barrier: Farul, Petrolul, Hermannstadt and Unirea Slobozia.
One of these will be directly relegated to League 2, two will go to the play-off for retention/promotion with the top two teams in League 2 who did not directly promote and are eligible for promotion, while one will save themselves completely, and will no longer have the emotions of the play-off. But we know the following aspects with certainty before the last stage:
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Hermannstadt and Union Slobozia fighting to escape direct relegation;
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The Lighthouse and the Oil they can no longer downgrade directly, regardless of the results of the last stage. And in a tie in 4, if it got there, Petrol would be first (the only one of the 4 that didn't enter with rounded points), then Farul second.
All 4 decisive play-out matches are played simultaneously on Monday, May 18, from 20:30. And all four teams that are still engaged in the fight for salvation will play in front of teams that have no stake now, in the end.
Oil has the simplest mission and it is only at her hand to escape the dam
Oil, with 25 points, is at her disposal to save herself and escape the emotions of the dam. In the last stage he plays with Steel.
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With a winis sure to finish 12th, regardless of what happens in the other matches;
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With a tiegets rid of emotions and saves without the need for a barrage only if the Lighthouse loses or ties with Metaloglobus; In case of a tie, between Farul and Petrolul, Prahoven have an advantage, because they entered with unrounded scores;
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With a defeatPetrol would remain with 25 points and could be overtaken by Lighthouse if the Mariners draw or win with Metaloglobus. Hermannstadt and Slobozia, even if they win, cannot overcome Petrolul.
The lighthouse needs help to escape the dam
The lighthouse still has 25 points, but it is not only at her disposal to escape the dam. In short, they need to get a better result than Petrol to finish 12th and not go through any more emotions at the end.
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If the Lighthouse winsthe Oil must draw or lose with the Steel, for the sailors to escape the dam;
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If the Lighthouse drawsOil must lose to Steel;
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If the Lighthouse losesthen he cannot escape the barrier, regardless of what happens in the other matches.
Slobozia and Hermannstadt are trying to escape direct relegation
After Slobozia drew with FCSB on Monday evening, in Ghencea, it took a big step to save itself from relegation. It reached the 22nd place in the ranking, the same as Hermannstadt, and everything will be decided in the next round.
One of Slobozia or Hermannstadt will be directly relegated early next week. In case of a tie, Slobozia has the advantage, having more points at the end of the regular season than Hermannstadt.
Thus, the Ialomists are only in their hands to save themselves from relegation, while Hermannstadt needs to stay in hand of the results and get a better result than Slobozia.
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If Slobozia wins with UTA Arad, Hermannstadt relegates directlyregardless of its result, Slobozia also goes to the dam;
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If Slobozia draws with UTA Arad, then Hermannstadt must win against FCSB to avoid direct relegation;
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If Slobozia loses then the Ialomists are relegated directly if Hermannstadt draws or wins with FCSB. With failure, Slobozia stays in the Superliga only if Hermannstadt, in turn, loses to FCSB.
The program of the last stage of the play-out
Sunday, May 17
Monday, May 18
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20:30 – Lighthouse – Metaloglobus
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20:30 – Oil – Steel
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20:30 – Slobozia – UTA Arad
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20:30 – Hermannstadt – FCSB
Tie-breaking criteria in the Superliga play-out
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halving points, whether or not 0.5 point rounding was applied
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the number of points obtained at the end of the regular season
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best goal difference in head-to-head matches, most goals scored in head-to-head matches
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best overall goal difference in all matches played (play-off / play-out and regular season)
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most goals scored in all league games
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if the tie is maintained, a play-off match will be played




