Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Maccabi Tel Aviv host CSKA Sofia at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel-Aviv on 6 August 2026 in the UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round. With both sides unbeaten in the competition so far, this first leg shapes as a finely balanced tie between two teams who have started their European campaigns strongly.

Maccabi Tel Aviv arrive with a perfect record from their opening two Europa League fixtures, combining a tight defence with explosive attacking numbers away from home. CSKA Sofia, meanwhile, have already played four matches in this Europa League run, showing resilience, tactical flexibility and a knack for grinding out results.

With qualification to the Europa League play-off round on the line, this clash between Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Sofia will attract plenty of interest from fans and bettors looking for Europa League predictions, value betting angles and insight into how these qualifiers typically unfold.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

• Maccabi Tel Aviv have won both of their Europa League matches so far, scoring 6 goals and conceding none.
• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in Europa League qualifying this season, with 3 wins and 1 draw from 4 matches.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv have kept 2 clean sheets in 2 matches, while CSKA Sofia have also recorded 2 clean sheets across 4 games.

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), CSKA Sofia 2 (tournament statistics)

Group-stage style standings are not yet in play at this qualifying phase, but early-round statistics still give a clear picture of how both teams are performing. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been flawless so far, winning both matches with an aggregate score of 6-0, including a dominant 5-0 away victory and a controlled 1-0 home success.

CSKA Sofia’s path has been slightly longer but equally impressive. Across 4 Europa League qualifiers, they have scored 6 goals and conceded only 3, winning three times and drawing once. Their average of 1.5 goals scored and 0.8 conceded per game underlines a balanced side capable of both creating chances and managing defensive phases effectively.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Matchups

Maccabi Tel Aviv midfield unit vs CSKA Sofia midfield rotation

Without individual top scorers or assist leaders listed, the key battle looks set to come in midfield, where both teams have depth and versatility. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s engine room features players like Dor Peretz, D. Glazer and K. Belić, supported by creative options such as K. Andrade and O. Davida. Their ability to control tempo has been evident in two wins from two, with an average of 3 goals scored per match and no goals conceded.

CSKA Sofia, on the other hand, have rotated across several formations (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1) in their four qualifiers, leaning on midfielders such as Bruno Jordão, M. Ebong and M. Brahimi. Their flexibility has helped them maintain an unbeaten record, scoring in three of four games and keeping two clean sheets. The midfield duel will likely decide whether Maccabi can impose their attacking rhythm or CSKA can turn the match into a more controlled, tactical contest.

Maccabi Tel Aviv defence vs CSKA Sofia attack

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s back line has been immaculate so far, with 2 clean sheets in 2 matches and an average of 0.0 goals conceded. Their biggest wins include a 1-0 home result and a 5-0 away scoreline, indicating they can defend solidly while still committing numbers forward.

CSKA Sofia’s attack has produced 6 goals in 4 games (1.5 per match), with their biggest wins being 3-2 at home and 2-1 away. They have shown they can score both in Sofia and on the road, but they have also failed to score once. Breaking down a Maccabi defence that has yet to concede in this Europa League campaign will be one of CSKA’s toughest tests so far.

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, adding an extra layer of uncertainty and tactical intrigue to this qualifier.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

Stats suggest a tight, low-scoring encounter at Bloomfield Stadium. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been ruthless defensively, with 2 clean sheets in as many games and an average of 3 goals scored per match. However, the goals distribution shows they can win narrowly at home (1-0) and explode away (5-0), hinting that they may adopt a more controlled approach in front of their own fans.

CSKA Sofia arrive with stronger recent form volume (4 matches) and an unbeaten run of 3 wins and 1 draw. Their defensive record of 0.8 goals conceded per game and 2 clean sheets indicates they are unlikely to be blown away, even against a confident Maccabi side. The prediction model gives Maccabi Tel Aviv a 45% chance of victory, the draw also at 45%, and CSKA Sofia at 10%, underlining how likely a cagey, balanced first leg is.

Given that the goals projection is framed around under 3.5 goals and the double-chance angle (Maccabi or draw), a narrow home win or a draw looks the most plausible outcome. With no precise goal prediction provided, a conservative scoreline such as 1-0 or 1-1 feels in line with the numbers.

Predicted Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 CSKA Sofia

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s recent Europa League form is perfect: two wins from two, with 6 goals scored and none conceded. Their results include a 1-0 home victory and a 5-0 away win, reflecting both defensive solidity and the ability to punish opponents when chances come. They have yet to fail to score and have kept clean sheets in both fixtures.

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent form in Europa League qualifying is strong and consistent. Across 4 matches they have 3 wins and 1 draw, with 6 goals scored and 3 conceded. They have kept 2 clean sheets and their biggest results include a 3-2 home win and a 2-1 away success. They have scored in three of four games, with only one match where they failed to find the net.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

Potential key players (grouped by position):
Goalkeepers: O. Melika, R. Mishpati, S. Saadia
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/Attackers: S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon, Y. Malede

Maccabi Tel Aviv have alternated between a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3 in their two Europa League matches, suggesting tactical flexibility. With two clean sheets and 6 goals scored, the balance between a solid defensive structure and a fluid attacking line appears to be working well. Expect a compact back line, a hard-working midfield anchored by players like D. Glazer and Dor Peretz, and wide or mobile forwards such as Y. Malede and E. Madmon to stretch CSKA Sofia’s defence.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

Potential key players (grouped by position):
Goalkeepers: D. Evtimov, F. Lapoukhov, D. Nikolov
Defenders: J. Gbamin, T. Ivanov, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez, A. Tunchev, A. Yordanov, Tamimou Ouorou
Midfielders: G. Chorbadzhiyski, M. Ebong, J. Eto'o, J. Iliev, Bruno Jordão, V. Kaymakanov, P. Panayotov, S. Sensi, I. Solet Bomawoko, M. Brahimi, Léo Pereira, A. Piedrahita
Forwards/Attackers: K. Dodaj, S. Godoy, M. Phaëton, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts

CSKA Sofia have used four different formations in four matches (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1), highlighting a coach willing to adapt to opponents and game states. With 6 goals scored and 3 conceded, they blend a compact structure with enough attacking threat from players like M. Phaëton, I. Pittas and S. Godoy. Expect them to prioritise defensive organisation in Tel-Aviv, aiming to keep the tie alive for the return leg while looking for counter-attacking opportunities.

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 betting angles based on current stats and market prices:

• Result Tip: Back Maccabi Tel Aviv Draw No Bet (or Home win on the main line). The prediction model gives Maccabi Tel Aviv a 45% win chance and only 10% for CSKA Sofia, with the draw also at 45%. Market odds on the home win range from 1.95 to 2.03, implying roughly a 49.3%–51.3% chance. Given Maccabi’s 2 wins from 2 and 0 goals conceded, the home side look a justified favourite at these prices.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 goals. Both teams’ Europa League campaigns point towards controlled scorelines: Maccabi have a 1-0 home win and a 5-0 away win, while CSKA average 1.5 goals scored and 0.8 conceded per match, with only one game going above 3 goals (a 3-2). The prediction advice specifically leans to under 3.5 goals, and CSKA’s solid defence should help keep this first leg relatively tight.
• Value Tip: Draw as a speculative value play. The prediction model assigns a 45% probability to the draw, yet draw odds range from 3.10 to 3.42, corresponding to implied probabilities of about 29.2%–32.3%. With CSKA unbeaten (3 wins, 1 draw) and Maccabi also perfect so far, a cautious first leg stalemate is plausible and the draw price offers potential value for those seeking a higher return.

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