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 clash that could set the tone for their entire European campaign. With group-stage football on the line, this first-leg tie is crucial for both clubs looking to secure an early advantage before the return fixture.

For OFI, this is a chance to make a statement on home soil despite coming into Europe without any prior matches in this season’s competition. CSKA Sofia, by contrast, arrive battle-tested after six Europa League fixtures in 2026, carrying strong recent form and valuable experience. For bettors and fans searching for OFI vs CSKA Sofia prediction, OFI vs CSKA Sofia betting tips, and detailed OFI vs CSKA Sofia preview, this matchup offers a finely balanced contest with no clear favourite in the markets.

Played at a neutral timezone of 18:00 UTC, the atmosphere in Heraklion should favour OFI, but CSKA’s sharper competitive edge in Europe makes this one of the more intriguing UEFA Europa League play-off ties on the card.

OFI vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

• OFI have yet to play a match in the 2026 UEFA Europa League season, with 0 games, 0 goals scored and 0 conceded in tournament statistics.
• There are no previous head-to-head meetings recorded between OFI and CSKA Sofia in the available data.
• CSKA Sofia have played 6 Europa League matches in 2026, scoring 10 goals (1.7 per game) and conceding 6 (1.0 per game), with 3 clean sheets in tournament statistics.

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 vs CSKA Sofia 3 (tournament statistics)

Group or league standings are not yet defined for this UEFA Europa League Play-offs stage, so there is no formal ranking or points tally to separate the sides. Instead, the contrast lies in match rhythm: OFI are entering the competition fresh, while CSKA Sofia already have six Europa League fixtures behind them in 2026.

Across those six matches, CSKA Sofia have been efficient rather than explosive, averaging 1.7 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. Their three clean sheets underline a solid defensive structure, particularly away from home where they have conceded just 1 goal in 3 matches. OFI’s slate is clean statistically, which makes them something of an unknown quantity but also difficult to prepare for in detail.

OFI vs CSKA Sofia Key Matchups

OFI attacking unit vs CSKA Sofia defensive structure

With no individual top scorers or assist leaders recorded for either side in the current Europa League season, the key battle for OFI will be their collective attack against CSKA Sofia’s well-drilled back line. CSKA have allowed only 6 goals in 6 matches, including just 1 away from home, and have kept 3 clean sheets in tournament play. Their defensive numbers suggest they are comfortable protecting leads and managing tight games, especially on their travels. For OFI, who have yet to score or concede in this season’s competition, breaking down that compact structure at Pankritio Stadium will be critical if they want a lead to take into the second leg.

CSKA Sofia forwards vs OFI’s untested European defence

On the other side, CSKA Sofia’s attacking unit has produced 10 goals in 6 matches at an average of 1.7 per game. They have shown the ability to win high-scoring home matches (with a biggest home win of 3-2) and to deliver clinical away performances (a biggest away win of 0-3). Against an OFI defence that has no Europa League minutes in 2026 and no goals conceded or scored on record, CSKA’s forwards will fancy their chances of at least grabbing an away goal. The Bulgarian side’s ability to score in different phases of the match — with goals spread from the opening 15 minutes through to the final quarter-hour — suggests they can threaten OFI throughout the 90 minutes.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recorded recent head-to-head meetings between OFI and CSKA Sofia in European competition or other tournaments within the available data. This Play-offs tie therefore represents a fresh tactical and psychological matchup, with no historical results to lean on for trends or patterns.

OFI vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

With predictions data giving each outcome — home win, draw, and away win — an identical 33% probability, this tie is rated almost perfectly balanced before kick-off. The lack of a clear statistical favourite reflects the contrast between OFI’s home advantage and CSKA Sofia’s superior recent Europa League experience and form.

CSKA Sofia’s tournament profile is impressive: 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat across 6 matches, with 10 goals scored and only 6 conceded. Their last five games show a strong trend, with 7 goals scored and 4 conceded, highlighting a side that is generally solid at the back and consistently dangerous going forward. OFI, by contrast, are a statistical blank slate in this competition, which introduces uncertainty but also means CSKA cannot rely on detailed scouting data from recent Europa League outings.

Market odds slightly lean towards OFI at home. Across major bookmakers, OFI are priced between 2.40 and 2.49, implying an approximate winning probability range of 40.2% to 41.7%. CSKA Sofia range from 2.75 to 3.00, translating to about 33.3% to 36.4%. Draw odds lie between 3.10 and 3.58, an implied range of roughly 27.9% to 32.3%. The betting markets therefore give OFI a marginal edge due to home advantage, even though CSKA Sofia bring the stronger Europa League resume.

Given CSKA’s defensive reliability — particularly away from home — and OFI’s lack of competitive European data this season, a tight, low-scoring contest feels likely. CSKA should be capable of avoiding defeat, but OFI’s home crowd and the travel factor for the visitors make a stalemate a realistic outcome.

Predicted Score: OFI 1-1 CSKA Sofia

OFI Recent Form

OFI have no recorded matches in the 2026 UEFA Europa League season so far. Their tournament statistics show 0 games played, with no goals scored or conceded and no clean sheets. As a result, their recent form in this specific competition is impossible to quantify, and they enter the Play-offs as an unknown entity at European level.

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent Europa League form is strong. In their last six tournament matches, they have recorded 4 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat, with a goal difference of +4 (10 scored, 6 conceded). Their last five outings in all recent competition data show 7 goals scored (1.4 per match) and 4 conceded (0.8 per match), underlining a balanced side capable of controlling games defensively while still carrying consistent attacking threat.

OFI Possible Starting Lineup

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

With no confirmed lineups or formation data, OFI’s starting XI will likely be built around experienced domestic players such as N. Marinakis, A. Bouchalakis and Aitor Cantalapiedra, supported by forwards like T. Fountas and A. Leya. The squad list suggests good depth in defence and midfield, with multiple goalkeepers available. Tactical flexibility is possible, but at home in a Europa League Play-offs tie, a balanced setup with four defenders and a creative midfield supporting one or two forwards appears most plausible.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

GK: D. Evtimov
Defenders: J. Gbamin, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez, T. Ivanov, A. Yordanov, A. Tunchev
Midfielders: M. Ebong, Bruno Jordão, M. Brahimi, J. Eto'o, J. Iliev, Tamimou Ouorou, P. Panayotov, V. Kaymakanov, I. Solet Bomawoko, Léo Pereira, A. Piedrahita
Forwards: S. Godoy, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts, K. Dodaj

CSKA Sofia have already used a variety of formations in the 2026 Europa League — including 4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3 — indicating a tactically versatile side. Expect a solid back four or back three built around defenders like Adrián Lapeña and Á. Martino, with a midfield anchored by Bruno Jordão or M. Ebong. In attack, options such as S. Godoy and I. Pittas provide focal points, while creative midfielders like M. Brahimi and Léo Pereira can link play. Their ability to switch shapes could be a key advantage away from home.

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 tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Draw – With predictions data splitting probabilities evenly at 33% for home, draw and away, and CSKA Sofia bringing strong Europa League form against an OFI side with no current tournament data, a cagey first leg is likely. Odds on the draw range from 3.10 to 3.58, implying a probability of about 27.9% to 32.3%, offering fair value in what looks a very balanced tie.
• Goals Tip: Under 2.5 total goals – CSKA Sofia’s matches in this Europa League run have seen only 10 goals scored and 6 conceded in 6 games, and their under/over profile shows more games under the higher thresholds (for example, under 2.5 goals in 4 of 6). With OFI untested in this season’s competition and likely to approach the first leg cautiously, a low-scoring encounter is plausible. Look for under-goals prices around the typical Europa League ranges with match winner odds centred at 2.40–3.58–3.00.
• Value Tip: CSKA Sofia double chance (Draw or Away) – While exact double-chance odds are not listed, CSKA Sofia’s strong record (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) and defensive resilience, especially away from home (1 goal conceded in 3 away games), suggest they are well placed to avoid defeat. With away win odds between 2.75 and 3.00 (implied 33.3%–36.4%), combining draw and away into a double-chance market should still offer a reasonable price with added security.

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