CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction: Key Stats 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. After a stunning 3-0 away victory in Batumi a week earlier, the Bulgarian side are firmly in control of the matchup and now look to finish the job in front of their home supporters.

For CSKA Sofia, this is a chance to confirm their progress into the Europa League play-off round and build on an impressive early-season run in Europe. Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, face a huge uphill task: they must overturn a three-goal deficit away from home against a side that has yet to lose in this European campaign. The stakes are clear — survival in UEFA Europa League qualifying and the financial and sporting rewards that come with it.

With CSKA Sofia in strong form and Maccabi Tel Aviv showing both attacking potential and defensive vulnerability in their opening qualifiers, this second leg shapes up as a fascinating tactical battle rather than a dead rubber. Bettors and fans alike will be eyeing CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv predictions, betting tips, and key stats as they assess how this tie is likely to unfold in Sofia.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Stats

• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in UEFA Europa League 2026 qualifying so far, with 4 wins and 1 draw from 5 matches, scoring 9 and conceding just 3.
• The only previous meeting between these sides came on 06 August 2026 in Batumi, where CSKA Sofia beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 in the first leg.
• Across their 5 Europa League fixtures, CSKA Sofia have kept 3 clean sheets, while Maccabi Tel Aviv have 2 clean sheets from 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: Not available vs Not available
• Goals Against: Not available vs Not available
• Clean Sheets: CSKA Sofia 3 (tournament statistics), Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 (tournament statistics)

Official group or league standings are not yet in play at this qualifying stage, but the broader tournament statistics paint a clear picture. CSKA Sofia have played 5 Europa League matches in 2026, winning 4 and drawing 1, with 9 goals scored and only 3 conceded. They have yet to lose in this campaign and have demonstrated a strong balance between attack and defence.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s sample size is smaller — 3 matches — but still revealing. They have 2 wins and 1 defeat, scoring 6 and conceding 3. Their away attacking output has been particularly eye-catching, with 5 of those 6 goals coming on the road, but the 3-0 home loss to CSKA Sofia in the first leg exposed vulnerabilities when facing higher-calibre opposition.

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 duel is structural rather than between specific names. CSKA Sofia’s back line has been excellent in Europa League qualifying: 3 clean sheets in 5 matches, conceding an average of just 0.6 goals per game. They have only failed to keep a clean sheet twice and have never conceded more than 2 in a match in this run.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s attack, by contrast, has been explosive in bursts. They average 2.0 goals per game across 3 fixtures, but that number is skewed by a 5-goal away performance; at home they have managed just 1 goal in 2 matches. To have any chance of turning this tie around, Maccabi must reproduce their best away attacking form against one of the more disciplined defences in qualifying.

Midfield control: CSKA Sofia balance vs Maccabi Tel Aviv risk-taking

CSKA Sofia’s overall tournament profile suggests a side comfortable in tight, controlled games. Their goals for average sits at 1.8 per match, while their goals against average is just 0.6, pointing to a team that rarely gets involved in wild, end-to-end contests. Their card distribution also shows a tendency to pick up yellows in the middle phases of games, reflecting an aggressive but managed approach in midfield.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, with 2.0 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per match, have a more volatile profile. They have shown they can press high and create chances, particularly away, but that approach leaves space in behind. The midfield battle in Sofia will hinge on whether Maccabi can push numbers forward without being picked off by CSKA’s structured transitions.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These clubs have met only once in recent European competition, in the first leg of this tie on neutral ground in Georgia. That match sets the tone for the second leg in Sofia.

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

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction

All available indicators point towards CSKA Sofia being strong favourites to progress and likely to avoid defeat on the night. Their recent form in the competition is outstanding: 4 wins and 1 draw, with a strong defensive base and a consistent, if not spectacular, attack. They have already demonstrated that they can handle Maccabi Tel Aviv’s threat, shutting them out 3-0 in Batumi.

The prediction model gives CSKA Sofia a 45% chance of winning this second leg, with a 45% chance of a draw and just a 10% chance of a Maccabi Tel Aviv victory. That aligns with the game-state context: CSKA can afford to manage the match, while Maccabi must chase goals from the outset, increasing their risk of being countered. Expect the visitors to show more attacking ambition than in the first leg, but CSKA’s defensive solidity and ability to control tempo should limit their success.

Predicted Score: CSKA Sofia 1-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent Europa League form is excellent. Across 5 matches in this campaign, they have 4 wins and 1 draw, with 9 goals scored and 3 conceded. They average 1.8 goals per game while allowing just 0.6, and they have kept 3 clean sheets. Their last five-match performance index is strong as well, with high marks in both attack and defence, underlining their status as one of the more consistent sides in qualifying.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv have played 3 Europa League matches in 2026, winning 2 and losing 1. They average 2.0 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game, with 2 clean sheets recorded. Their best performance came in a 5-0 away win, showing their capacity to dominate weaker opposition, but the 3-0 defeat to CSKA Sofia in the first leg highlights the gap they must bridge when facing a higher-quality, more organised rival.

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, J. Iliev, I. Solet Bomawoko, Tamimou Ouorou, 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 options in defence and midfield. The presence of several central midfielders and flexible defenders suggests they can switch between back-four and back-three systems, as reflected in their variety of formations used in qualifying (including 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 3-5-2). With no confirmed absences, the coach can rotate slightly while still fielding a strong XI, likely prioritising defensive stability and control given the three-goal cushion.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

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

Maccabi Tel Aviv also have significant depth, particularly in midfield, where they can choose between more defensive options like D. Glazer and box-to-box players such as Dor Peretz or K. Belić. Their previous use of 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems indicates tactical flexibility. Chasing a large deficit, they are likely to opt for a more attacking shape, perhaps with overlapping full-backs or wing-backs and multiple forwards, but they must balance this with the risk of conceding on the counter.

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 tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back CSKA Sofia Draw No Bet. The prediction model gives CSKA Sofia a 45% chance to win and 45% for the draw, with only 10% for a Maccabi Tel Aviv victory. The 1X (home or draw) angle is supported by CSKA’s unbeaten run (4 wins, 1 draw) and their 3-0 first-leg win. Market odds for a straight home win range roughly from 1.98 to 2.14 (implied probability about 46.7% to 50.5%), making the host the slight favourite. A Draw No Bet variant offers a safer way to side with CSKA while respecting the high draw probability.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. CSKA Sofia’s matches in this Europa League run have tended to be controlled: only 2 of their 5 games have gone over 2.5 goals, and none over 3.5, with averages of 1.8 scored and 0.6 conceded. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s numbers are inflated by one big away win, but the first leg between these sides finished 3-0, and with CSKA protecting a lead, a lower-scoring, game-managed second leg is likely. Look for Under 3.5 goals at a moderate price where available.
• Value Tip: Draw in the Match Winner market. With the prediction model assigning a 45% probability to the draw — equal to CSKA’s win chance — and bookmakers pricing the draw between 3.10 and 3.25 (implied probability roughly 30.8% to 32.3%), there appears to be value on the stalemate. CSKA have no need to force the issue, and Maccabi Tel Aviv must attack but are facing a well-organised defence; a controlled draw that sees CSKA through looks like a realistic and potentially undervalued outcome.

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