CSKA Sofia
Maccabi Tel Aviv
>Europa League · 3rd Qualifying RoundCSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Prediction and Odds, Europa League, 13/08/2026
CSKA Sofia welcome Maccabi Tel Aviv to Stadion Vasil Levski on 13 August for the Europa League third qualifying round second leg, holding a formidable 3-0 aggregate advantage. The hosts, priced at 2.16, look well placed to seal progression. Maccabi must produce something extraordinary or face dropping into the Conference League play-offs.
Projected final score: 1-0
CSKA Sofia enter this second leg with a 3-0 aggregate cushion and a nine-match unbeaten run, making them heavy favourites to see the tie out comfortably. With Maccabi stripped of Nicolaescu, Andrade, and Layous among others, the visitors carry virtually no attacking threat, and 2.16 reflects a side with little reason to take risks.
A low-scoring affair is the logical outcome here. CSKA have conceded just 0.5 goals per game across their last six outings and kept three consecutive European clean sheets, while Maccabi have failed to score in four of their last five away European games. 1.71 suits a controlled, professional performance from the hosts.
Match Analysis
CSKA Sofia enter this second leg as clear favorites at 2.16, holding a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead and riding a nine-match unbeaten run that makes their Europa League progression a near-certainty.
- 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg renders elimination virtually impossible for CSKA Sofia.
- 19 unbeaten in last 20 home matches at Vasil Levski underlines their fortress status.
- 0.5 goals conceded per game across their last six matches signals elite defensive form.
- Three consecutive Europa League clean sheets, including the first-leg shutout against Maccabi.
Maccabi Tel Aviv arrive at 2.95 facing a four-goal mountain, severely depleted by injuries to Nicolaescu, Andrade, Azo, and Layous, with coach Kenny Miller publicly conceding the near-impossibility of a comeback.
- Maccabi scored in only one of their last five away European matches.
- Four confirmed absentees strip depth across all lines at a critical moment.
- A four-goal swing required to overturn the tie, a statistical near-impossibility.
Key point: With CSKA likely to rotate under no pressure and Maccabi toothless away, the double chance home or draw in a low-scoring affair aligns with 1.71 as a complementary angle.
Statistics and Head-to-Head
Form & Statistics: CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
CSKA Sofia
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Recent form
Season statistics (3)
CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
Probabilities & Odds: CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Source : StakeMatch Information
Lineups: CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
CSKA Sofia
Starters
- 1 Fedor Lapoukhov
- 2 Teodor Ivanov
- 3 Jean-Philippe Gbamin
- 4 Facundo Rodriguez
- 5 Pastor
- 6 Max Ebong
- 7 Stefano Sensi
- 8 Bruno Jordao
- 9 Andrey Yordanov
- 10 Ioannis Pittas
- 11 Leandro Godoy
Bench
- Joel Zwarts
- Mohamed Brahimi
- Dimitar Evtimov
- Petko Panayotov
- Vasil Kaymakanov
- Leo Pereira
- Alejandro Piedrahita
- G. Chorbadzhiyski
- Aleks Tunchev
- Isaac Solet
- James Eto'o
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Starters
- 1 Ofek Melika
- 2 Itai Ben Hamo
- 3 Mohamed Aly Camara
- 4 Raz Shlomo
- 5 Shahar Rosen
- 6 Issouf Sissokho
- 7 Itamar Noy
- 8 Helio Varela
- 9 Dor Peretz
- 10 Ido Shahar
- 11 Sayed Abu Farkhi
Bench
- Roi Mishpati
- Tyrese Asante
- Ester Sokler
- Dan Leon Glazer
- Elad Madmon
- Noam Harush
- Noam Schwartz
- Lotem Assras
- Ilay Ben Simon
- Osher Davida
Absent
- Denny Gropper (injury)
- Ori Azo (injury)
- Hisham Layous (injury)
- Kristijan Belic (injury)
- Ion Nicolaescu (ACL injury)
- Kervin Andrade (absent from first leg squad, listed as injured)
- Sagiv Jehezkel (missing from first leg squad)
- Roy Revivo (missing from first leg squad, back injury)
Medium confidence
CSKA Sofia's 3-5-1-1 sets up to control the central corridor, with Stefano Sensi and Bruno Jordão providing the creative engine in a compact midfield block. Maccabi Tel Aviv counter with a more expansive 4-2-3-1, built to exploit wide channels and transition quickly through Dor Peretz in the number ten role.
Both lineups carry strong continuity from the first leg, which gives this second leg a familiar tactical shape from the opening whistle. CSKA's wing-backs will be crucial in managing Maccabi's attacking width, while Ioannis Pittas as the advanced striker offers the home side a focal point to build their counter-pressing game around.
Final thoughts on the predictions for CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
CSKA Sofia's three-goal cushion from the first leg, combined with an outstanding unbeaten home record and nine matches without defeat across all competitions, makes the double chance 1X the standout selection at 2.16. Maccabi Tel Aviv's dismal away European scoring record offers little hope of a miraculous turnaround. Back the Bulgarian hosts to avoid defeat comfortably. Odds and markets subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main prediction for CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv?
The Home or Draw (1X) is the clear pick at 2.16, backed by CSKA Sofia's nine-match unbeaten run and a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead that makes Maccabi's elimination virtually certain before a ball is even kicked at Vasil Levski.
What is the highest odd for CSKA Sofia to win?
The best home-win odd is available at 2.16. For bettors seeking safer coverage, a double chance combining CSKA Sofia and the draw removes the away-win risk entirely, making it a sensible option given Sofia's fortress-like home record of 19 unbeaten in their last 20 matches at Vasil Levski.
Will there be more or less than 2.5 goals in this match?
Under 2.5 goals, priced at 1.71, looks the sharper call here. CSKA Sofia have conceded just 0.5 goals per game across their last six outings, while Maccabi have failed to score in four of their last five away European matches, pointing firmly towards a low-scoring affair.
When and where is CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv played?
The match kicks off at 21:00 local time (Sofia, EEST) on 13 August 2026 at the Stadion Vasil Levski in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Can Maccabi Tel Aviv pull off an upset against CSKA Sofia?
Realistically, an upset is near-impossible. Maccabi, priced at 2.95, need four goals without reply to advance, yet they are severely depleted with multiple key attackers absent through injury. Their chronic inability to score away in Europe makes that target a statistical near-impossibility rather than a genuine threat.
Which alternative market offers the best value?
Both Teams to Score: No, available at 1.91, offers strong value. CSKA Sofia have kept three consecutive Europa League clean sheets, and Maccabi's injury-ravaged attack has gone silent in four of their last five away European fixtures, making a blank for the Israeli side a highly probable outcome.
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