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CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction: Preview and Key Stats

CSKA Sofia and Maccabi Tel Aviv meet at National Stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia on 13 August 2026 in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie. After a stunning 3-0 away win in Batumi a week earlier, CSKA return home with a commanding advantage and a clear path towards the play-off round.

For CSKA Sofia, this is a chance to confirm their early-season momentum in Europe and turn an impressive qualifying campaign into a statement. Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, face a daunting task: they must overturn a three-goal deficit away from home against a side that has yet to lose in the competition this season. With both teams already showing contrasting defensive records in their opening Europa League matches, this clash should provide a clear picture of which club is better equipped for a deeper run in Europe.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Stats

  • CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in the UEFA Europa League this season, with 4 wins and 1 draw from 5 matches, scoring 9 and conceding just 3.
  • The only previous meeting between these sides came on 6 August 2026, when CSKA Sofia beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 at Batumi Arena in the Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round.
  • In Europa League tournament statistics, CSKA Sofia average 1.8 goals scored and 0.6 conceded per match, while Maccabi Tel Aviv average 2.0 scored and 1.0 conceded.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv — Tale of the Tape

  • Position: Not available vs Not available
  • Points: Not available vs Not available
  • Goals For: 9 (CSKA Sofia tournament total) vs 6 (Maccabi Tel Aviv tournament total)
  • Goals Against: 3 (CSKA Sofia tournament total) vs 3 (Maccabi Tel Aviv tournament total)
  • Clean Sheets: CSKA Sofia 3, Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 (tournament statistics)

There is no group or league standings table yet for this qualifying phase, but the tournament statistics already underline CSKA Sofia’s strong balance. Across 5 Europa League matches, they have scored 9 goals and conceded only 3, remaining unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw. Their defensive record, combined with three clean sheets, highlights a side that manages games effectively over two legs.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have played fewer matches (3) but have shown both extremes: a 5-0 away win and a 0-3 home defeat. They have scored 6 goals and conceded 3, with 2 clean sheets. Their away attack has been explosive (5 goals in 1 match), but the heavy home loss to CSKA raises serious questions about their ability to break down a disciplined Bulgarian side on the road while staying solid at the back.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Matchups

CSKA Sofia defence vs Maccabi Tel Aviv attack

With no individual top scorers or assist leaders listed, the key battle is structural rather than centred on one star. CSKA Sofia’s back line has allowed only 3 goals in 5 Europa League matches, an average of 0.6 per game, and they have kept 3 clean sheets in the tournament. Their biggest wins include a 3-2 home result and a 0-3 away victory, showing they can both outscore opponents and shut them out.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s attack has been more volatile but potentially dangerous: 6 goals in 3 matches, with an impressive 5.0 goals per game in their single away outing. Their biggest away win, 0-5, proves they can be ruthless on the counter when space opens up. The tactical question is whether they can reproduce that level against a CSKA side that has yet to lose and has already handled them comfortably in the first leg.

Midfield control and discipline

CSKA Sofia’s Europa League campaign suggests a team that grows into games and maintains intensity. Their yellow-card distribution shows a significant share of cautions coming after the break, especially between 46-60 and 91-105 minutes, indicating an aggressive and committed approach in key phases. They have also used multiple formations (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3), underlining tactical flexibility in midfield and wide areas.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s card profile is more concentrated around the end of the first half and late in matches, with bookings notably between 31-45 and 76-90 minutes. Their use of 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 suggests they can switch between a packed midfield and more expansive shapes. The midfield battle will decide whether Maccabi can sustain pressure for the comeback, or whether CSKA’s structure and discipline will once again dictate the tempo.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These clubs have only just crossed paths in European competition, but the first encounter was emphatic and sets the tone for the return leg in Sofia.

  • 06 August 2026: Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-3 CSKA Sofia (UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round)

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction

Stats suggest CSKA Sofia come into the second leg as clear favourites to progress, and strong contenders to win again on the night. They are unbeaten in 5 Europa League matches, with a robust defence and consistent scoring, and they have already dismantled Maccabi 3-0 on neutral ground in Batumi. The prediction model gives CSKA a 45% chance of victory, with a 45% probability of a draw and only 10% for a Maccabi away win. That points strongly towards a home side that should at least avoid defeat.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s only real hope lies in their proven ability to score heavily away from home, as shown by their 5-0 win earlier in qualifying. However, to overturn a three-goal deficit they must open up, which risks playing into CSKA’s hands. Given CSKA’s clean-sheet record and their ability to manage second legs from a position of strength, a controlled, lower-scoring home win or a draw looks the most plausible scenario.

Predicted Score: CSKA Sofia 2-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent Europa League form is excellent. Across 5 matches they have 4 wins and 1 draw, with 9 goals scored and only 3 conceded. They have shown they can win both home and away, including a 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv and a 3-2 home win as part of their biggest results. Their last-five form index sits very high, reflecting strong attacking and defensive balance.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League run has been more mixed, with 2 wins and 1 defeat from 3 matches. They opened with back-to-back victories, including a 5-0 away win that showcased their attacking potential, but the 0-3 home loss to CSKA Sofia in the first leg exposed defensive vulnerabilities. Their last-five form index is solid but clearly behind CSKA’s, and they have conceded all 3 of their goals in home fixtures so far.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

GK: D. Evtimov; Defenders: J. Gbamin, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez, A. Yordanov; Midfielders: M. Ebong, Bruno Jordão, S. Sensi, M. Brahimi, I. Solet Bomawoko, Tamimou Ouorou, J. Iliev, P. Panayotov, V. Kaymakanov, J. Eto'o, K. Dodaj, Léo Pereira, A. Piedrahita, G. Chorbadzhiyski; Forwards: S. Godoy, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts.

CSKA Sofia have a deep and versatile squad with multiple defensive and midfield options, allowing them to mirror the flexible formations they have already used in the tournament. Expect a compact back line shielded by a hard-working midfield, with at least two forwards or advanced midfielders capable of exploiting the spaces that Maccabi must leave as they chase goals. Without any confirmed absences, CSKA can rotate slightly while still fielding a strong XI to manage the tie.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

GK: R. Mishpati; Defenders: M. Camara, R. Revivo, R. Shlomo, S. Rosen, N. Ben Harush, T. Asante, N. Schwartz, S. Yehezkel, I. Ben Hamo; Midfielders: D. Glazer, Dor Peretz, K. Belić, I. Shahar, I. Sissokho, O. N. Azo, K. Andrade, Lotem Asres, I. Noy, O. Davida, I. Ben Simon, Eran Ginat, Hélio Varela; Forwards: S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon, Y. Malede, E. Sokler.

Maccabi Tel Aviv also possess a broad squad with several experienced names, particularly in midfield where players like D. Glazer and Dor Peretz can anchor or drive the team forward. Tactically, they may opt for an attacking 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 to chase the deficit, relying on overlapping full-backs and multiple forwards. However, committing numbers forward will leave them vulnerable to CSKA’s counters, so the balance between aggression and protection will be crucial.

CSKA Sofia Team News

No significant absences reported.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

CSKA Sofia:

  • None reported.

Maccabi Tel Aviv:

  • None reported.

Betting Tips: CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

Exactly 3 distinct betting angles stand out based on probabilities, form, and available odds.

  • Result Tip: CSKA Sofia Draw No Bet or CSKA Sofia to win. With a 45% win probability for CSKA and 45% for the draw against just 10% for a Maccabi victory, the home side are clear favourites to avoid defeat. The market reflects this: home win odds range roughly from 1.98 to 2.14 across bookmakers, implying an approximate 46.7%–50.5% chance. That aligns closely with the underlying probabilities and recent form, making the home side the logical result-focused angle.
  • Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. CSKA’s Europa League matches average 1.8 goals scored and 0.6 conceded (2.4 total), while Maccabi’s average sits at 2.0 scored and 1.0 conceded (3.0 total). The first leg ended 3-0, but that was an outlier in terms of Maccabi’s defensive collapse. With CSKA protecting a big lead and generally strong at the back, a more controlled second leg with three or fewer goals looks likely. Use the specific under/over odds from your chosen bookmaker to find the best price around the 2.5 or 3.5 line.
  • Value Tip: CSKA Sofia to qualify or CSKA Sofia win & under 4.5 goals (bet builder where available). CSKA are already three goals up and have conceded only 3 times in 5 Europa League games, with 3 clean sheets. Combining their strong qualification chances with a sensible goals cap (under 4.5) taps into both their defensive solidity and the game state, where they do not need to chase a high score. With away win odds ranging from 3.40 to 4.05, the market clearly rates Maccabi as outsiders; leveraging CSKA’s dominance into a combined market should offer a more attractive price than the straight home win while still being well supported by the statistics.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

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