OFI vs CSKA Sofia Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

OFI welcome CSKA Sofia to Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion on 20 August 2026 for a UEFA Europa League Play-offs tie that looks finely balanced on paper. With a place in the main Europa League phase at stake, both clubs know this first leg could define their European campaign.

For OFI, this is a chance to make a statement on home soil. They come into Europe without prior 2026 Europa League matches behind them, so this Play-offs clash doubles as their competitive introduction to the continental season. CSKA Sofia, by contrast, arrive battle-tested from earlier Europa League qualifying rounds, bringing form, tactical flexibility and defensive resilience into what should be a tight encounter.

Stats suggest a very even matchup: the prediction model gives OFI, the draw and CSKA Sofia each a 33% chance of success, while bookmakers also price this as close to a coin flip. That creates an intriguing landscape for OFI vs CSKA Sofia predictions and betting tips, with small tactical details and home advantage likely to play a decisive role.

OFI vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

• CSKA Sofia have already played 6 Europa League matches in 2026, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing just 1, while OFI are yet to play in this campaign.
• No recent head-to-head meetings are recorded between OFI and CSKA Sofia in the available data, adding an element of tactical uncertainty.
• CSKA Sofia have scored 10 goals and conceded 6 across those 6 Europa League fixtures, keeping 3 clean sheets in the process.

OFI 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: OFI 0 (tournament statistics) vs CSKA Sofia 3 (tournament statistics)

Group standings data is not yet available for either side, which is typical at the Play-offs stage before the group phase is set. What we can say is that CSKA Sofia arrive with a clear body of work in this Europa League season: 6 matches, 10 goals scored and only 6 conceded, with 3 clean sheets. That gives them a proven baseline at this level.

OFI, on the other hand, are an unknown quantity in the 2026 Europa League statistics. They have no fixtures played, no goals scored or conceded and no clean sheets on record in this campaign. That doesn’t mean they are weaker; it simply means their European form is untested and bettors must lean more heavily on home advantage and squad profile rather than hard tournament data.

OFI vs CSKA Sofia Key Matchups

OFI defensive unit vs CSKA Sofia attacking structure

With no individual top scorers or assist leaders listed for either side, the clearest matchup lies between OFI’s largely fresh defence and CSKA Sofia’s already productive attack. CSKA Sofia average 1.7 goals per game in this Europa League run (10 in 6), with their scoring spread across all phases of matches — notably a significant share between the 61–75 minute window, underlining their ability to strike late.

OFI’s defenders such as N. Marinakis, K. Krizmanić, Borja González and D. Nikolaou will be tasked with containing an opponent used to European tempo. CSKA Sofia’s flexibility — having used formations including 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 4-1-4-1 — means OFI’s back line must adapt quickly to different shapes and pressing patterns.

OFI midfield balance vs CSKA Sofia midfield rotation

Midfield control could be decisive. OFI’s central options like A. Bouchalakis, T. Androutsos, Z. Karachalios and G. Kanellópoulos bring experience and energy, but they face a CSKA Sofia midfield that has already proven itself over six Europa League fixtures. CSKA Sofia’s engine room includes players such as Bruno Jordão, M. Ebong and M. Brahimi, supported by versatile options like J. Iliev and Tamimou Ouorou.

CSKA Sofia’s ability to switch between compact mid-blocks and more expansive shapes has underpinned their solid defensive record — only 1.0 goal conceded per game on average. OFI’s midfield must both shield their defence and provide supply lines to forwards like T. Fountas and A. Leya if the hosts are to make home advantage count.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recorded recent competitive meetings between OFI and CSKA Sofia in the available data, so this Play-offs tie effectively starts with a blank slate. Tactical surprises and in-game adjustments are likely to be more important than historical trends.

OFI vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

With predictions.percent giving each outcome — home win, draw, away win — a 33% chance, this is one of the most finely poised Europa League Play-offs ties on the slate. OFI’s main advantage is the Pankritio Stadium factor and the element of surprise, as CSKA Sofia have no direct recent reference point for this specific opponent at European level.

CSKA Sofia, however, bring clear competitive sharpness. Four wins, one draw and one defeat in six Europa League matches, 10 goals scored and three clean sheets suggest a side that knows how to manage two-legged ties. Their defensive numbers are particularly impressive away from home, conceding just 1 goal in 3 away fixtures, while still scoring 5.

Given the balance of probabilities and the lack of a clear favourite, a tight, low-scoring first leg feels the most plausible scenario. OFI will likely prioritise defensive solidity and try to edge the margins via set pieces and transitions, while CSKA Sofia may be content with a controlled draw or narrow win to take back to Bulgaria.

Predicted Score: OFI 1-1 CSKA Sofia

OFI Recent Form

OFI have no recorded matches in the 2026 Europa League yet, so there is no recent tournament form to draw on. Their defensive and attacking statistics in this competition are blank, meaning this Play-offs clash will be their first real benchmark at this level in the current campaign.

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent Europa League form is strong, with a sequence of results captured as WWDWWL across 6 fixtures. That run includes 4 victories, 1 draw and just 1 defeat, with 10 goals scored and 6 conceded. They have shown particular resilience away from home, winning 2 and drawing 1 of their 3 away games, scoring 5 and conceding only 1.

OFI Possible Starting Lineup

GK: N. Christogeorgos or P. Katsikas or Manouel Kalafatis or K. Lilo; Defenders: N. Marinakis, K. Krizmanić, Borja González, D. Nikolaou, A. Poungouras, C. Sielis, N. Athanasiou; Midfielders: A. Bouchalakis, T. Androutsos, Z. Karachalios, G. Kanellópoulos, G. Apostolakis, S. Almasidis, Aitor Cantalapiedra; Forwards: T. Fountas, A. Leya, T. Nuss, T. Romano, G. Theodosoulakis, Charalampos Antonakakis.

Without confirmed lineups or recent Europa League match data, OFI’s exact XI is speculative, but the squad list suggests a blend of experienced domestic players and younger talents. Expect a back four built around seasoned defenders like Marinakis and Krizmanić, with Bouchalakis anchoring midfield and creative support from Aitor Cantalapiedra. In attack, Fountas and Leya offer movement and finishing, likely in a shape that balances defensive security with quick transitions, such as 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

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

CSKA Sofia’s lineups data shows they have already used multiple formations — including 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 4-1-4-1 — across their 6 Europa League fixtures. That tactical versatility is a major asset. Expect a solid back line in front of Evtimov, with Jordão or Ebong providing balance in midfield and creative support from wide or advanced midfielders like Brahimi or Léo Pereira. In attack, options such as Godoy, Pittas or Zhivkov give them different profiles for either a lone striker system or a front two.

OFI Team News

No significant absences reported.

CSKA Sofia Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

OFI:

• None reported.

CSKA Sofia:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: OFI vs CSKA Sofia

Exactly 3 distinct markets stand out for OFI vs CSKA Sofia betting:

• Result Tip: Draw (Full Time). With predictions.percent giving each outcome a 33% chance and the bookmakers pricing this very evenly, the stalemate looks attractive. Home odds for OFI range from 2.40 to 2.49 (implied probability roughly 40.2%–41.7%), while CSKA Sofia sit between 2.75 and 3.00 (≈33.3%–36.4%). Draw odds are higher, from 3.10 up to 3.58 (≈27.9%–32.3%), offering a reasonable return in what profiles as a tight first leg.
• Goals Tip: Under 2.5 goals. CSKA Sofia’s Europa League matches average 2.7 goals per game overall, but their away defensive record is excellent: just 1 goal conceded in 3 away fixtures. OFI, meanwhile, have no attacking stats in this competition yet and are likely to approach the first leg cautiously. While specific under/over odds for goals are not listed, the combination of a Play-offs first leg and CSKA’s strong defence points towards a lower-scoring contest.
• Value Tip: CSKA Sofia Draw No Bet. For those seeking a bit more protection, leaning slightly towards the more battle-hardened side makes sense. CSKA Sofia are priced between 2.75 and 3.00 in the standard match winner market, implying around a 33.3%–36.4% chance. Translating that into a Draw No Bet line would shorten the odds but still likely offer value, given CSKA’s 4 wins in 6 Europa League matches and impressive away numbers (5 scored, 1 conceded). If a Draw No Bet market is available around the 2.00 mark or better, it would be an appealing angle.

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