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

CSKA Sofia welcome Maccabi Tel Aviv to National Stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia on 13 August 2026 for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round tie. After a dominant 3-0 away win in Batumi a week earlier, the Bulgarian side are firmly in control of the matchup and now look to finish the job in front of their own fans.

For CSKA Sofia, this is an opportunity to confirm their strong early-season European form and book a place in the play-off round. Unbeaten in the competition so far and boasting impressive defensive numbers, they start as favourites both on the pitch and in the betting markets. Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, face a huge uphill task: they must overturn a three-goal deficit away from home against a side that has yet to lose in this Europa League campaign.

With qualification, coefficient points, and significant financial incentives on the line, this second leg should still be competitive. Maccabi must chase goals, while CSKA will try to balance control with pragmatism, knowing a solid defensive display will be enough to see them through.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Stats

• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in the UEFA Europa League this season, with 4 wins and 1 draw across 5 matches, scoring 9 and conceding just 3.
• The only previous meeting between the sides came on 6 August 2026, when CSKA Sofia beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 on neutral ground at Batumi Arena.
• CSKA Sofia have kept 3 clean sheets in 5 Europa League fixtures, while Maccabi Tel Aviv have 2 clean sheets in 3 matches in this campaign.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv — 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: CSKA Sofia 3 (tournament statistics), Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 (tournament statistics)

Traditional group or league standings are not yet in play at this qualifying stage, but the broader tournament statistics paint a clear picture. CSKA Sofia have played 5 Europa League matches in this campaign, winning 4 and drawing 1, with a goals record of 9 scored and only 3 conceded. Their average of 1.8 goals scored and 0.6 conceded per game underlines a well-balanced side that can both create and control matches.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have had a shorter route so far, with 3 matches played: 2 wins and 1 defeat, scoring 6 and conceding 3. Their away scoring average of 5.0 goals per game is inflated by a single 5-0 victory, but it does show they can be explosive on their day. However, the 0-3 home loss to CSKA in the first leg exposes defensive vulnerabilities when facing higher-calibre opposition.

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Key Matchups

CSKA Sofia attacking unit vs Maccabi Tel Aviv defence

Without individual scorer data, the key battle is collective: CSKA Sofia’s attack against Maccabi’s back line. CSKA average 1.8 goals per Europa League match, with a strong spread of scoring across time windows, particularly between 16–30 minutes and steady threat throughout both halves. At home, they average 2.0 goals scored and 1.0 conceded over 2 fixtures, indicating they tend to play on the front foot in Sofia.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s defence has been a tale of two contexts: they have conceded 3 goals in 2 home matches (1.5 per game) but kept a clean sheet in their single away outing. However, the first leg showed that when pressed by a high-intensity, well-organised side like CSKA, they can be opened up. How Maccabi’s defenders, including the likes of M. Camara and R. Revivo, cope with CSKA’s varied formations (they have used five different systems already) will be decisive.

Midfield control: CSKA’s stability vs Maccabi’s transition threat

CSKA Sofia’s midfield has underpinned their unbeaten run. Across 5 matches, they have allowed just 3 goals, with only one match where they failed to keep the opposition below 2 goals. Their ability to limit chances is reflected in the low goals-against average of 0.6 per game and 3 clean sheets. Frequent use of shapes like 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1 and 3-5-2 suggests tactical flexibility and strong central control.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, by contrast, are more transition-oriented. They have scored 6 goals in 3 matches, including that 5-0 away win, and their goals distribution shows they can strike in multiple phases of the game (goals spread across 0–15, 16–30, 46–60, 61–75 and 76–90 minutes). If Dor Peretz and D. Glazer can win enough duels in midfield, Maccabi may find spaces to counter, but they must commit bodies forward without leaving themselves exposed to CSKA’s counters.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These clubs have only just crossed paths on the European stage, but the first encounter was emphatic and sets the narrative for this second leg.

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

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction

All indicators point towards CSKA Sofia managing this tie from a position of strength. They hold a 3-0 aggregate lead, are unbeaten in 5 Europa League matches, and have shown both defensive solidity and attacking consistency. Their recent form index is strong, with their last five games producing 9 goals scored and only 3 conceded, and a last-five performance rating of 87 out of 100.

Prediction metrics give CSKA Sofia a 45% chance of winning the match, with another 45% allocated to the draw and just 10% to a Maccabi Tel Aviv victory. That aligns with the tactical picture: CSKA do not need to chase the game and can afford a more controlled, risk-averse approach, while Maccabi must open up and take chances, which could leave them vulnerable. Given the aggregate situation, a lower-scoring contest than the first leg is plausible, with CSKA content to protect their advantage.

Predicted Score: CSKA Sofia 1-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s tournament form has been excellent. Across 5 Europa League matches, they have 4 wins and 1 draw, scoring 9 and conceding only 3. They have kept 3 clean sheets and failed to score just once. Their biggest home win so far is 3-2, while away they have a standout 3-0 victory — the first leg in this tie. This run underlines a team that is hard to beat, with strong defensive structure and enough firepower to decide games.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League campaign shows 2 wins and 1 defeat from 3 matches. They have scored 6 and conceded 3, with 2 clean sheets and just 1 match where they failed to score. A 5-0 away win demonstrates their potential when things click, but the 0-3 home defeat to CSKA exposes inconsistency at this level. Their last-five performance index stands at 67 out of 100, suggesting a capable but less reliable side compared to CSKA.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

Likely key players (not a confirmed XI):
GK: D. Evtimov;
Defenders: J. Gbamin, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez;
Midfielders: M. Ebong, Bruno Jordão, S. Sensi, M. Brahimi, I. Solet Bomawoko, Lé o Pereira;
Forwards: S. Godoy, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts.

CSKA Sofia have used a variety of systems in the Europa League — including 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1, 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 — which makes them tactically unpredictable. Expect a balanced setup with a solid back line in front of D. Evtimov and a midfield built around technical players like Bruno Jordão and S. Sensi to control possession. With a three-goal cushion, the emphasis is likely to be on structure and game management rather than all-out attack, with forwards such as I. Pittas and J. Zwarts offering outlets on the break.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

Likely key players (not a confirmed XI):
GK: R. Mishpati;
Defenders: M. Camara, R. Revivo, R. Shlomo, S. Yehezkel;
Midfielders: D. Glazer, Dor Peretz, K. Belić, I. Shahar, O. Davida, I. Sissokho;
Forwards: Y. Malede, E. Sokler, Hélio Varela, E. Madmon.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have alternated between 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 in their three Europa League matches, indicating flexibility but also a search for the best balance. Chasing the tie, they are likely to field an attack-minded lineup, with creative midfielders like Dor Peretz and I. Shahar pushing forward to support the front line. However, they must find a way to commit numbers without repeating the defensive lapses that cost them in the first leg.

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 betting angles based on current stats, probabilities, and available odds:

• Result Tip: Back CSKA Sofia Draw No Bet. The prediction model gives CSKA a 45% chance of winning and just a 10% chance for Maccabi, with 45% on the draw. The market also leans towards the hosts: home odds range from 1.98 to 2.14, implying roughly 46.7% to 50.5% probability, while away odds between 3.40 and 4.05 imply about 24.7% to 29.4%. Using a Draw No Bet variant (where available) reduces risk in a match where CSKA may be content with a draw while still being the stronger side.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. CSKA’s matches in this Europa League run have mostly been controlled affairs: across 5 games they average 1.8 scored and 0.6 conceded. Maccabi average 2.0 scored and 1.0 conceded over 3 matches, but the aggregate context (CSKA leading 3-0) suggests a more cautious second leg. With CSKA likely to prioritise defensive solidity, a game with 3 or fewer goals looks a reasonable angle. Take the best available under-goals price in your market.
• Value Tip: Draw at attractive odds. The prediction probabilities give the draw a 45% chance, yet draw odds are in the 3.10–3.25 range, implying only about 30.8% to 32.3% chance. That discrepancy suggests some value on the stalemate, especially given CSKA’s aggregate advantage and incentive to manage the game rather than chase a win at all costs. For bettors comfortable with higher variance, the draw offers a potentially profitable price.

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