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

CSKA Sofia host Maccabi Tel Aviv at National Stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia on 13 August 2026 in the UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round, with the Bulgarian side holding a commanding advantage after the first leg. This second leg will decide who moves one step closer to the group stage, with CSKA looking to finish the job and Maccabi chasing a dramatic turnaround.

CSKA come into the tie in excellent Europa League form, unbeaten across five matches with four wins and one draw, and just three goals conceded. Maccabi, meanwhile, have shown both extremes in qualifying – a 5-0 away win in one tie and a heavy 0-3 home defeat to CSKA in Batumi – underlining how high their ceiling is but also how vulnerable they can be against well-organised opposition.

With CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv prediction markets tilting towards the hosts and punters closely tracking this Europa League qualifier, this clash promises to be a fascinating tactical and psychological battle: can CSKA manage the lead, or will Maccabi find the goals needed to flip the script in Sofia?

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Stats

• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in the Europa League this season with 4 wins and 1 draw from 5 matches, scoring 9 and conceding only 3.
• The only previous meeting on record saw CSKA Sofia beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 away on 06 August 2026 in the Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round.
• CSKA Sofia have kept 3 clean sheets in 5 Europa League fixtures, while Maccabi Tel Aviv have 2 clean sheets from 3 matches in the competition.

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 (CSKA Sofia, 5 matches) vs 6 (Maccabi Tel Aviv, 3 matches)
• Goals Against: 3 (CSKA Sofia) vs 3 (Maccabi Tel Aviv)
• Clean Sheets: 3 (CSKA Sofia, Europa League statistics) vs 2 (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Europa League statistics)

Standings data for this qualifying round is not listed, but the broader Europa League statistics paint a clear picture of two sides who have largely handled their early tests. CSKA Sofia have combined defensive solidity with consistent scoring, averaging 1.8 goals for and only 0.6 against per match across five fixtures. They have yet to lose in this Europa League campaign.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s profile is more volatile but still impressive in attack: 6 goals in 3 matches at an average of 2.0 per game, with all 3 goals conceded coming at home. Away from home they have been perfect defensively so far, including a 5-0 away win earlier in qualifying, but that record is now under serious pressure after the 3-0 defeat to CSKA on neutral ground in Batumi. With such contrasting trends, CSKA appear better balanced, while Maccabi rely more on high-impact attacking bursts.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Matchups

CSKA Sofia defence vs Maccabi Tel Aviv attack

Without individual scorer data, the key battle is structural: CSKA’s back line, which has allowed just 3 goals in 5 Europa League matches (0.6 per game), against a Maccabi attack averaging 2.0 goals per match. CSKA have shown they can manage different formations – using 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and others – and still maintain defensive control, with 3 clean sheets already. Maccabi, by contrast, have produced a 5-0 away win and a 1-0 home victory but were shut out 0-3 by CSKA in the first leg, suggesting that when pressed by a compact, disciplined block, their attacking rhythm can be disrupted.

Midfield control: CSKA’s flexibility vs Maccabi’s physical core

CSKA Sofia’s Europa League statistics show five different formations used in as many matches, highlighting a flexible midfield structure that can switch between 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1 and 3-5-2. That adaptability has helped them control tempo and protect their back line, with opponents failing to score in three of five games. Maccabi Tel Aviv have also alternated between 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 across three fixtures, but their defensive numbers are skewed by one poor home outing; they concede an average of 1.5 goals at home but 0.0 away. The midfield battle in Sofia will likely determine whether Maccabi can re-create their dominant away displays or whether CSKA’s structure again stifles them.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This is a relatively fresh European matchup, with only one recent meeting on record between CSKA Sofia and Maccabi Tel Aviv, and it was a statement result for the Bulgarians.

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

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction

Stats suggest CSKA Sofia are deserved favourites heading into the second leg. They are unbeaten in Europa League qualifying, have three clean sheets in five matches, and have already beaten Maccabi 3-0 on neutral ground. Their recent form index over the last five games is strong, with high attacking and defensive ratings and a positive goal difference of +6 (9 scored, 3 conceded).

Prediction markets and probability models back that view: CSKA are given a 45% chance of victory, with the draw also at 45% and Maccabi just 10%. That points to a scenario where the hosts control large portions of the match, manage their existing advantage, and are content to avoid chaos. Maccabi’s away attacking numbers (5 goals in 1 away match earlier in qualifying) mean they cannot be completely discounted, but breaking down a CSKA side that has not lost and rarely concedes more than once will be a major challenge.

With CSKA also showing a tendency towards under 3.5 goals in most of their Europa League outings and the draw heavily factored into the probabilities, a controlled, relatively low-scoring contest seems likely. CSKA’s double-chance (win or draw) looks very strong, and a narrow home win or a draw that still sends them through feels the most realistic outcome.

Predicted Score: CSKA Sofia 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

In Europa League action, CSKA Sofia are in excellent recent form: four wins and one draw from five matches, with 9 goals scored and only 3 conceded. They have put together a positive winning streak, have not lost yet in this campaign, and have already recorded a 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Their results profile is also tilted towards tighter games, with under 3.5 goals in all five fixtures.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s recent Europa League form is more mixed but still competitive, with two wins and one defeat from three matches. They have scored 6 goals and conceded 3, including a dominant 5-0 away win earlier in qualifying and a 1-0 home victory, offset by the 0-3 home loss to CSKA Sofia. Their form index over the last three games is solid, especially in defence, but that heavy defeat to CSKA raises questions about how they cope against stronger, tactically disciplined opponents.

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, Tamimou Ouorou, I. Solet Bomawoko, Léo Pereira, A. Piedrahita, G. Chorbadzhiyski; Forwards/Attackers: S. Godoy, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts, K. Dodaj.

CSKA have rotated through several formations – including 4-3-3, 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 – suggesting they have both depth and tactical flexibility. With multiple central defenders and a strong pool of midfielders, they can switch between a more conservative, protection-first setup to protect their aggregate lead or a more expansive shape if needed. The presence of several attackers such as S. Godoy, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov and J. Zwarts gives them options to threaten on the break even if they prioritise defensive stability.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

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

Maccabi have also alternated systems between 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, reflecting a side comfortable shifting between a back three and a back four. Their earlier 5-0 away win shows the potential of their attacking unit when they can press high and transition quickly, but the 0-3 defeat to CSKA hints that they may need to adjust their balance between attack and defence. Expect them to field an aggressive lineup in Sofia, chasing early goals, which could leave space in behind for CSKA to exploit.

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: CSKA Sofia Draw No Bet or CSKA Double Chance. Probability models give CSKA a 45% chance of winning and the draw another 45%, with Maccabi at just 10%. The match-winner odds range from 1.98 to 2.14 for the home win, 3.10 to 3.25 for the draw, and 3.40 to 4.05 for the away win. That pricing confirms CSKA as favourites, but with the draw heavily in play, taking CSKA on a safer line (such as draw-no-bet or double chance) looks the most sensible approach.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. CSKA’s Europa League profile shows 9 scored and 3 conceded across 5 matches, with the majority of their games falling under higher goal thresholds. Maccabi’s 6 goals in 3 matches include one explosive 5-0 result, but against CSKA they were shut out 0-3. With CSKA protecting a strong aggregate lead and both sides’ defensive records generally solid, a controlled match with 3 or fewer goals is the likeliest scenario, even though specific goal-line odds are not listed.
• Value Tip: Draw at attractive odds. The draw is priced between 3.10 and 3.25 across bookmakers, implying an approximate probability range of 30.8% to 32.3%, yet the prediction probabilities assign a 45% chance to the stalemate. That gap between implied odds and model probability suggests potential value on the draw, especially with CSKA already holding a big aggregate advantage and potentially managing the game rather than chasing a high-margin win.

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