Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction: Preview and Betting Tips

Maccabi Tel Aviv welcome CSKA Sofia to Bloomfield Stadium in Tel-Aviv on 6 August 2026 for a UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round first leg that already looks like one of the more finely poised ties at this stage. With both sides unbeaten so far in European qualifying and defensive records that command respect, this clash should offer a tight, tactical battle rather than a shootout.

For Maccabi Tel Aviv, early-season Europa League qualifying is often about laying down a marker at home. Two wins from two, six goals scored and none conceded underline how strong the Israeli side have been in this campaign so far. CSKA Sofia, however, arrive with their own impressive credentials: four games unbeaten, three wins, and only three goals conceded in that span. For bettors and fans searching for a Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia prediction and Europa League betting tips, this looks like a classic contest between a free-scoring home side and a resilient, well-balanced visitor.

With the market leaning slightly towards Maccabi Tel Aviv but the prediction models highlighting a big role for the draw, the margins are thin. The first leg at Bloomfield will go a long way to deciding who carries the initiative into the return fixture, and small details at both ends of the pitch are likely to prove decisive.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

• Maccabi Tel Aviv have won both of their Europa League matches this season, scoring 6 goals and conceding 0 across 2 games.
• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in 4 Europa League fixtures this campaign, with 3 wins and 1 draw and no defeats.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv average 3.0 goals scored per game and 0.0 conceded, while CSKA Sofia average 1.5 scored and 0.8 conceded in this Europa League run.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia — Tale of the Tape

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

Formal group or league standings are not yet in play at this qualifying stage, but the early Europa League statistics are revealing. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been ruthless in a small sample: two wins, six goals scored and none conceded, including a dominant 5-goal away victory and a controlled 1-0 home success. That combination of firepower and defensive solidity at Bloomfield Stadium makes them a natural favourite in front of their own fans.

CSKA Sofia’s path has involved more matches and a slightly more varied set of scorelines, but the fundamentals are strong: three wins and one draw from four, six goals scored and only three conceded. They have shown they can edge tight games at home (for example a 3-2 scoreline) and win on the road (1-2), while also keeping two clean sheets. Both sides have yet to taste defeat in this Europa League campaign, which supports the idea of a very balanced tie where small margins and home advantage could be decisive.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Matchups

Maccabi Tel Aviv attack vs CSKA Sofia defence

Without individual goals and assists data, the clearest matchup is structural: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s aggressive attacking profile against CSKA Sofia’s disciplined back line. Maccabi average 3.0 goals per game in this Europa League run and have used both a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3, suggesting flexibility in how they overload the final third. They have also converted their only penalty of the campaign, showing composure in key moments.

CSKA Sofia’s defence has allowed 0.8 goals per match over four games, with two clean sheets and no heavy defeats. Their card distribution indicates they often pick up yellows in the middle phases of each half, which hints at a side that defends aggressively in key periods. How that disciplined, physical approach copes with Maccabi’s varied attacking shapes will be central to the outcome.

CSKA Sofia midfield balance vs Maccabi Tel Aviv midfield press

CSKA Sofia have already deployed four different formations in this Europa League run — 4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-1-4-1 — underlining a tactical flexibility built around their midfield core. With players like Bruno Jordão, M. Ebong and S. Sensi available in the middle of the park, they can switch between compact, defensive structures and more adventurous shapes with an extra attacking midfielder.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s midfield unit, including options such as D. Glazer and Dor Peretz, will need to control tempo and prevent CSKA from turning this into a transition-heavy contest. Maccabi’s ability to press from their 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 base and protect a defence that has yet to concede in this Europa League campaign could tilt the midfield battle in their favour, especially at home.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recent recorded head-to-head meetings between Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Sofia in the available data, so this tie effectively starts with a blank slate in terms of historical trends.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

Stats suggest a tight, low-scoring first leg. Both teams come in unbeaten, both have recorded two clean sheets in this Europa League campaign, and the prediction metrics give Maccabi Tel Aviv a 45% chance of victory, with the draw also at 45% and CSKA Sofia at 10%. That implies a strong expectation that the home side avoid defeat, but also that the stalemate is almost as likely as a home win.

Maccabi’s defensive record — zero goals conceded in two games — and their ability to switch between a back three and a back four make them well equipped to manage the tie from a position of control. CSKA Sofia, though, have shown they can keep games close, conceding fewer than a goal per game across four fixtures and adapting tactically to different opponents. Given the under 3.5 goals angle in the prediction advice and both sides’ clean-sheet records, a cagey encounter with limited scoring chances feels probable.

Predicted Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 CSKA Sofia

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv are in excellent recent form in the Europa League, with back-to-back wins to start their campaign. They have scored six goals in two matches, including a dominant 5-0 away performance, and have yet to concede. Their recent tournament form indicates a team that starts games well, spreads its goals across both halves, and maintains defensive concentration throughout.

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent Europa League form is also strong: four games unbeaten, with three victories and one draw. They have scored six times and conceded three, showing a balance between attack and defence. Their goals are well distributed across the 16–75 minute windows, suggesting they remain a threat throughout the match, while their defence has only been breached heavily late on in a small sample. Overall, their recent form points to resilience and an ability to grind out results.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

With no confirmed lineup data for this specific fixture, only key squad options can be highlighted. In goal, Maccabi Tel Aviv can call on O. Melika, R. Mishpati or S. Saadia. Defensively, options include T. Asante, I. Ben Hamo, N. Ben Harush, M. Camara, R. Revivo, S. Rosen, N. Schwartz, R. Shlomo and S. Yehezkel. Midfield is deep, with K. Andrade, Lotem Asres, O. N. Azo, K. Belić, I. Ben Simon, Eran Ginat, D. Glazer, I. Noy, Dor Peretz, I. Shahar, I. Sissokho, O. Davida and Hélio Varela all available. In attack, S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon and Y. Malede provide options.

Given their use of 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 in earlier Europa League matches, Maccabi are likely to line up with a flexible back line, a hard-working midfield three or five, and wide or secondary forwards supporting a central striker. The depth in midfield suggests they can adjust between a more controlling setup and a more direct, transition-based approach depending on how CSKA Sofia set up.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

CSKA Sofia also boast a deep squad. In goal, D. Evtimov is the senior option, supported by F. Lapoukhov and D. Nikolov. At the back, they can choose from J. Gbamin, T. Ivanov, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez, A. Tunchev, A. Yordanov and Tamimou Ouorou. Midfield options include G. Chorbadzhiyski, M. Ebong, J. Eto'o, J. Iliev, Bruno Jordão, V. Kaymakanov, P. Panayotov, S. Sensi, I. Solet Bomawoko, M. Brahimi and Léo Pereira. In attack, K. Dodaj, S. Godoy, M. Phaëton, A. Piedrahita, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov and J. Zwarts are available.

Having already used 4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-1-4-1 in this Europa League run, CSKA Sofia are clearly comfortable shifting shape. Expect a compact back four or back three with two holding midfielders, and one or two forwards supported by creative midfielders. Their tactical flexibility could be key in responding to Maccabi’s home pressure and in seeking an away goal on the counter.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Team News

No significant absences reported.

CSKA Sofia Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Maccabi Tel Aviv:

• None reported.

CSKA Sofia:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Maccabi Tel Aviv Draw No Bet or Home win in the main market. Prediction metrics give the home side a 45% chance of victory and a 45% chance of a draw, with only 10% for a CSKA win. The bookmakers price the home win between 1.95 and 2.03, implying an approximate probability range of 49.3% to 51.3%. That aligns with Maccabi’s perfect record (2 wins from 2, 6 scored, 0 conceded) and strong home advantage at Bloomfield.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 goals. Advisory data specifically points towards a combo of Maccabi Tel Aviv or draw and under 3.5 goals. Maccabi’s matches have averaged 3.0 goals but with a very strong defence (0 conceded), while CSKA Sofia’s games average 2.3 total goals (1.5 for, 0.8 against). The under 3.5 angle fits a first leg where both sides will be wary of over-committing.
• Value Tip: Draw in the Match Winner market as a small-stake value play. The prediction probabilities rate the draw at 45%, yet bookmaker odds for the draw range from 3.10 to 3.42, which imply a probability band of roughly 29.2% to 32.3%. Given both teams are unbeaten, both have two clean sheets, and CSKA have shown they can keep games tight away from home, the draw is priced more generously than the underlying probabilities suggest.

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