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

Maccabi Tel Aviv host CSKA Sofia at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel-Aviv in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the UEFA Europa League, with both sides looking to take a crucial first-leg advantage. Early-season European qualifiers are often finely balanced, and this tie brings together two teams in strong recent form who have yet to taste defeat in this campaign.

The Israeli side arrive with a perfect start in Europe, combining defensive solidity with explosive attacking displays away from home. CSKA Sofia, meanwhile, have already played four Europa League matches, showing resilience and tactical flexibility across multiple formations. With the betting markets slightly favouring the hosts but prediction models indicating a very tight contest, this clash has all the ingredients of a high-stakes, low-margin European night.

For bettors and fans searching for Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia prediction, Europa League qualifying betting tips, and detailed match analysis, this preview breaks down key stats, tactical matchups, and the latest odds ahead of kick-off on 6 August 2026.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

• Maccabi Tel Aviv have won both of their Europa League matches this season, scoring 6 goals and conceding none across 2 fixtures.
• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in 4 Europa League games this campaign, with 3 wins and 1 draw and no defeats so far.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv have kept 2 clean sheets in 2 Europa League fixtures, while CSKA Sofia have recorded 2 clean sheets in 4 matches in the same competition.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia — Tale of the Tape

• Position: Not available vs Not available
• Points: Not available vs Not available
• Goals For: 6 (Maccabi Tel Aviv, 2 matches) vs 6 (CSKA Sofia, 4 matches)
• Goals Against: 0 (Maccabi Tel Aviv) vs 3 (CSKA Sofia)
• Clean Sheets: 2 (Maccabi Tel Aviv, tournament statistics) vs 2 (CSKA Sofia, tournament statistics)

There is no group-stage or domestic standings table available for this tie, but the tournament statistics give a clear picture of how each side has approached Europa League qualifying so far. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been ruthless: 2 wins from 2, 6 goals scored and none conceded, including a dominant 5-0 away victory and a controlled 1-0 home success. Their average of 3.0 goals scored per game and 0.0 conceded underlines an early blend of attacking punch and defensive organisation.

CSKA Sofia’s path has been longer but equally impressive. Over 4 matches, they have 3 wins and 1 draw, scoring 6 and conceding just 3. Their goals-for average of 1.5 per game is more modest than Maccabi’s, but they have shown consistency and resilience, avoiding defeat while rotating through several formations (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1). Both teams have 2 clean sheets in the tournament, suggesting that this first leg could be tighter than Maccabi’s early goal numbers might imply.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Matchups

Maccabi Tel Aviv defensive unit vs CSKA Sofia attacking options

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s main strength so far has been at the back: across 2 Europa League fixtures they have not conceded a single goal, with 2 clean sheets and an average of 0.0 goals against. Their biggest wins (1-0 at home and 5-0 away) also show they can control games both in Tel-Aviv and on the road. The defensive line has operated successfully in both a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3, indicating tactical flexibility without sacrificing solidity.

CSKA Sofia’s attack has produced 6 goals in 4 matches (1.5 per game), with their biggest win being 3-2 at home and 2-1 away. They tend to spread their scoring across different phases of the game, with a steady output between the 16th and 75th minutes. The key battle will be whether CSKA can break down a Maccabi side that so far has not allowed any opponent to score, especially given that CSKA have failed to score once in these qualifiers.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s high-scoring away form vs CSKA Sofia’s late-game resilience

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s away numbers are striking: 5 of their 6 Europa League goals have come on the road, with an average of 5.0 away goals per game and a 5-0 away win already in the books. They have also kept a clean sheet away from home, underscoring their ability to dominate in hostile environments.

CSKA Sofia, on the other hand, have shown resilience in the later stages of matches. While they concede some goals between the 31st and 90th minutes, their defensive averages (0.8 goals against per game) and two clean sheets suggest they are generally compact. Their card distribution shows a tendency to pick up yellow cards across multiple time windows, including late in games, which could be a factor if Maccabi push hard in the second half.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recorded recent head-to-head meetings between Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Sofia in the available data. This first-leg encounter therefore brings a fresh tactical matchup without a clear historical pattern between the clubs.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

Stats suggest a finely balanced first leg. Maccabi Tel Aviv bring a perfect record into this tie: 2 wins from 2, 6 scored, 0 conceded, and 2 clean sheets. Their last-five indicator shows 100 in defensive performance and 3 goals per game, which, combined with home advantage at Bloomfield Stadium, makes them a strong favourite not to lose.

CSKA Sofia, however, are no soft touch. Unbeaten in 4 Europa League fixtures (3 wins, 1 draw), they have shown they can adapt tactically and manage tight games, with a defensive index of 81 in their last five and only 0.8 goals conceded per match. The prediction model gives Maccabi Tel Aviv a 45% chance of winning, the draw also at 45%, and CSKA Sofia just 10%. That points to a game where the hosts are more likely to edge it, but the probability of a stalemate is almost identical.

With the goals prediction thresholds set at under 3.5, and both sides showing solid defensive numbers and multiple clean sheets, this looks more like a controlled, tactical encounter than a repeat of Maccabi’s 5-0 away rout. Expect Maccabi to carry the initiative, but CSKA’s organisation and experience over more qualifying matches should keep the scoreline tight.

Predicted Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 CSKA Sofia

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv have started their Europa League campaign in outstanding shape, winning both of their matches. They have combined a prolific attack, averaging 3.0 goals per game, with a perfect defensive record of 0.0 goals conceded and 2 clean sheets. Their last-two form in the competition is effectively flawless, reflecting strong momentum heading into this qualifier.

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent form is also impressive. Across 4 Europa League fixtures, they remain unbeaten with 3 victories and 1 draw. They average 1.5 goals scored and 0.8 conceded per game, and have already kept 2 clean sheets. Their last-five form index sits at 83, indicating a side in good rhythm, capable of grinding out results and adapting to different tactical setups.

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: S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon, Y. Malede.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have already used both a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3 in the Europa League, suggesting flexibility between a back three and a more traditional back four. With 2 clean sheets and 6 goals scored, the spine of the team appears well-balanced: a stable defensive unit in front of reliable goalkeepers, a deep midfield pool including experienced names like D. Glazer and Dor Peretz, and multiple attacking options to rotate. Expect a compact shape out of possession, with wing-backs or wide forwards providing width, and an emphasis on maintaining their strong defensive record at home.

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: K. Dodaj, S. Godoy, M. Phaëton, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts.

CSKA Sofia have experimented with four different formations in the Europa League (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1), reflecting a versatile squad capable of shifting between back three and back four systems. With 6 goals scored and 3 conceded, they can threaten in attack while generally keeping games under control. Expect a cautious but organised setup in Tel-Aviv, likely with a solid midfield block and one or two mobile forwards such as M. Phaëton or I. Pittas tasked with exploiting transitions.

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 distinct betting angles based on current stats and available odds:

• Result Tip: Maccabi Tel Aviv Draw No Bet or Home Win
  The prediction model gives Maccabi Tel Aviv a 45% chance of victory and just 10% for CSKA Sofia, with the draw also at 45%. Market odds for the home win range from 1.95 to 2.03, implying an approximate probability between 49.3% (1 ÷ 2.03 × 100) and 51.3% (1 ÷ 1.95 × 100). Given Maccabi’s perfect record (2 wins, 6 scored, 0 conceded) and strong defensive indices, siding with the hosts in the match-winner market looks justified, with a draw-no-bet variation offering extra protection.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 Goals
  Both teams have shown defensive solidity: Maccabi Tel Aviv have not conceded in 2 matches, while CSKA Sofia allow only 0.8 goals per game over 4 fixtures. The prediction advice explicitly leans towards under 3.5 goals. With CSKA likely to approach the first leg cautiously away from home and Maccabi’s defence in top form, a relatively low-scoring encounter is probable. Look for under-goals prices in the totals market aligned with this under-3.5 expectation.
• Value Tip: Draw in Match Winner Market
  The draw is priced between 3.10 and 3.42 across bookmakers, corresponding to an implied probability range of about 29.2% (1 ÷ 3.42 × 100) to 32.3% (1 ÷ 3.10 × 100). However, the prediction model assigns a 45% chance to the draw, notably higher than the market implication. With both teams unbeaten, CSKA’s 3 wins and 1 draw from 4 games, and the first leg often tight in European qualifiers, the stalemate offers potential value at these odds.

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