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

CSKA Sofia welcome Maccabi Tel Aviv to National Stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia on 13 August 2026 for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie. With a place in the play-off round at stake, the Bulgarian side are in a commanding position after a dominant first-leg performance on neutral ground in Batumi.

CSKA Sofia ran out 3-0 winners in that opening encounter, putting one foot in the next round and setting up a home fixture where game management will be as important as attacking ambition. Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, face a daunting task: they must overturn a three-goal deficit away from home against an opponent that has yet to lose in this European campaign.

From a betting and tactical perspective, this clash will attract interest from those searching for CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv predictions, Europa League qualifying betting tips, and insight into whether the Israelis can stage a remarkable comeback or if CSKA will complete a professional two-legged job in front of their own fans.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Stats

• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in the Europa League this season, with 4 wins and 1 draw across 5 matches, scoring 9 and conceding just 3.
• The only previous meeting between these sides came on 06 August 2026, when CSKA Sofia beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 at Batumi Arena in the first leg.
• CSKA Sofia have kept 3 clean sheets in 5 Europa League fixtures this season, while Maccabi Tel Aviv have 2 clean sheets in 3 matches.

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 vs 6 (current Europa League campaign)
• Goals Against: 3 vs 3 (current Europa League campaign)
• Clean Sheets: CSKA Sofia 3; Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 (tournament statistics)

There is no formal group or league table yet at this qualifying stage, but the underlying numbers are revealing. CSKA Sofia have played 5 Europa League matches this season, winning 4 and drawing 1, with an average of 1.8 goals scored and just 0.6 conceded per game. They have shown consistency both home and away, and crucially, they have not lost.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League run is shorter but still respectable: 2 wins and 1 defeat from 3 matches, averaging 2.0 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per match. Their away attack has been explosive at times, with 5 goals scored in just one away outing, but the first leg exposed defensive vulnerabilities, especially when chasing the game. Over two legs, CSKA’s balance between attack and defence has clearly been superior so far.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Matchups

CSKA Sofia defensive unit vs Maccabi Tel Aviv attacking line

With no individual top scorers data available, the collective battle between CSKA Sofia’s defence and Maccabi Tel Aviv’s forwards becomes the key tactical zone. CSKA have conceded only 3 goals in 5 Europa League games, with 3 clean sheets and an average of 0.6 goals against per match. Their ability to shut teams down late in games is notable, with a significant share of goals conceded coming after the 76th minute, suggesting they are usually solid but can be tested under late pressure.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, on the other hand, have scored 6 goals in 3 matches, including an eye-catching 5-goal away performance earlier in qualifying. Their overall average of 2.0 goals scored per game indicates they have the firepower to trouble defences, particularly on the road. To have any chance of a comeback, Maccabi’s front line must rediscover that ruthless away form and break through a CSKA back line that has yet to lose in this campaign.

Midfield control: CSKA Sofia’s balanced engine room vs Maccabi Tel Aviv’s high-risk approach

CSKA Sofia’s midfield has underpinned their unbeaten run, contributing to 9 goals scored and allowing only 3. Their shot and chance creation is spread across the 90 minutes, with goals arriving in every 15-minute segment from 0–90, underlining a team that can build pressure and find breakthroughs at any time.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s midfield has been more volatile. They have scored in multiple time windows but also conceded heavily in short spells, especially between 16–30 minutes and late in games. That pattern hints at a high-risk, high-reward approach that can produce big wins, like their 5-0 away victory earlier in qualifying, but also leaves them exposed, as seen in the 0-3 defeat in the first leg. The midfield battle in Sofia will likely decide whether Maccabi can sustain pressure without being picked off on transitions.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These clubs have only just crossed paths in European competition, with the first leg providing the initial data point in this head-to-head.

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

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction

Stats suggest CSKA Sofia are well placed to finish the job at home. They are unbeaten in 5 Europa League matches, with strong defensive numbers and three clean sheets. Their last-five form index is high, with 9 goals scored and only 3 conceded across that stretch. The comparison model also leans towards CSKA: they lead the overall comparison total 59.3 to 40.7, and dominate the head-to-head and goals indices.

The prediction probabilities underline that advantage but also leave room for a competitive contest: CSKA Sofia are given a 45% chance of winning, the draw is also rated at 45%, and Maccabi Tel Aviv have just a 10% chance of victory. With a three-goal cushion from the first leg, CSKA do not need to chase the game, which could tilt the tactical balance towards a controlled, lower-scoring encounter. Maccabi must attack, but that urgency may open spaces for CSKA to counter.

Predicted Score: CSKA Sofia 1-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent Europa League form has been excellent. Across 5 matches they have 4 wins and 1 draw, with 9 goals scored and only 3 conceded. Their last-five form index sits at a strong 87, supported by attacking and defensive indices of 69 and 77 respectively. They have shown they can win both at home and away, including a 3-2 home victory and a 3-0 away win as their biggest results this campaign.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s recent Europa League form is more mixed but still positive overall. They have played 3 matches, winning 2 and losing 1, scoring 6 and conceding 3. Their last-five form index is 67, with an attack index of 46 and defence at 77, indicating a solid back line but an attack that can be inconsistent. A 5-0 away win highlights their potential, yet the 0-3 defeat to CSKA in the first leg shows how quickly things can unravel against higher-quality opposition.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

GK: D. Evtimov or F. Lapoukhov or D. Nikolov; Defenders: J. Gbamin, T. Ivanov, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez, A. Tunchev, A. Yordanov; Midfielders: G. Chorbadzhiyski, M. Ebong, J. Eto'o, J. Iliev, Bruno Jordão, V. Kaymakanov, Tamimou Ouorou, P. Panayotov, S. Sensi, I. Solet Bomawoko, M. Brahimi, Léo Pereira, A. Piedrahita; Forwards: K. Dodaj, S. Godoy, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts.

CSKA Sofia have a deep squad with multiple options in every line. In goal, D. Evtimov offers experience, while the defensive unit can be configured in various shapes, as evidenced by the use of formations such as 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 4-1-4-1 earlier in qualifying. The midfield is packed with technical players like Bruno Jordão and S. Sensi, and there is a healthy mix of attackers including I. Pittas, S. Godoy, R. Zhivkov and J. Zwarts. Expect CSKA to prioritise balance and control rather than all-out attack, given their aggregate advantage.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

GK: O. Melika or R. Mishpati or S. Saadia or Idan Trau; Defenders: T. Asante, I. Ben Hamo, N. Ben Harush, M. Camara, R. Revivo, S. Rosen, N. Schwartz, R. Shlomo, S. Yehezkel; Midfielders: 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, Hélio Varela; Forwards: S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon, Y. Malede, E. Sokler.

Maccabi Tel Aviv also have considerable depth and tactical flexibility, having already used 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 in this Europa League campaign. Veterans like D. Glazer and Dor Peretz provide stability in midfield, while attacking options such as Y. Malede, E. Sokler and O. Davida can offer pace and directness. Chasing a three-goal deficit, Maccabi are likely to opt for an aggressive setup, possibly with a back four and multiple forwards, which could leave them vulnerable on transitions.

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 for this Europa League qualifier:

• Result Tip: Back CSKA Sofia Draw No Bet. The prediction model gives CSKA a 45% chance of winning, with another 45% on the draw and just 10% on a Maccabi victory. The market broadly agrees that CSKA are favourites, with home odds ranging from 1.98 to 2.14 (implied probability roughly 46.7% to 50.5%), while Maccabi’s away odds sit between 3.40 and 4.05 (about 24.7% to 29.4%). Taking CSKA on a Draw No Bet line reduces risk in a scenario where they might settle for a stalemate to protect their aggregate lead.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. CSKA Sofia’s matches in this Europa League campaign have tended to be controlled, with only 2 of their 5 games going over 2.5 goals and none over 3.5. They average 1.8 scored and 0.6 conceded per match, while Maccabi average 2.0 scored and 1.0 conceded. With CSKA in a game-management mode and Maccabi needing to attack but facing a solid defence, a competitive match with 2–3 goals looks more likely than a goal fest. Look for an Under 3.5 line at standard match-goals odds ranges.
• Value Tip: Both Teams to Score – Yes. Although CSKA have 3 clean sheets in 5 games, Maccabi’s away attacking numbers are strong, with 5 goals in 1 away match earlier in qualifying and an overall average of 2.0 goals scored per game. At the same time, Maccabi’s need to chase the tie should create chances for CSKA on the break. With match winner odds making CSKA clear favourites (home prices around 2.00–2.14 vs away 3.40–4.05), BTTS could offer a more generous price relative to the realistic scenario of both sides finding the net.

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