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

Maccabi Tel Aviv welcome CSKA Sofia to Bloomfield Stadium in Tel-Aviv on 6 August 2026 for a UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round first-leg tie that already looks like one of the more finely balanced matchups at this stage. With both sides unbeaten in their Europa campaigns so far and eyeing a place in the play-off round, the margins in this qualifier could be extremely tight.

The Israeli side come into this clash with a perfect early record in Europe, combining a watertight defence with clinical finishing. CSKA Sofia, meanwhile, have also started strongly, showing resilience and tactical flexibility across four Europa League fixtures. With bookmakers and predictive models split between a home win and a draw, this feels like a classic Europa League qualifying tie where home advantage, defensive organisation and small details in both boxes will be decisive.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

• Maccabi Tel Aviv have won both of their Europa League matches so far, scoring 6 goals and conceding none.
• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in 4 Europa League games this season, with 3 wins and 1 draw.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv average 3.0 goals scored per game (6 in 2 matches), while CSKA Sofia average 1.5 goals scored per game (6 in 4 matches) in the current Europa League campaign.

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

Group-stage or domestic standings are not yet in play for this qualifying tie, but the early Europa League statistics already outline contrasting strengths. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been explosive away from home, hitting 5 goals in one away match and 1 at home, while keeping clean sheets in both outings. Their average of 3.0 goals scored and 0.0 conceded across 2 games points to a side that has started European competition in near-perfect balance.

CSKA Sofia’s path has been slightly longer, with 4 fixtures already: 3 wins and 1 draw, 6 goals scored and 3 conceded. They have been more involved in tight contests, averaging 1.5 goals for and 0.8 against. Two clean sheets in four matches underline a generally solid back line, but they have shown occasional vulnerability late in games, with a significant share of goals conceded coming in the 76–90 minute window.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Matchups

Maccabi midfield unit vs CSKA midfield unit

With no individual top scorers or assist leaders listed, the battle zones are best assessed by unit. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s midfield has underpinned a perfect record: 2 wins from 2, 6 goals scored and none conceded, plus 100% success from the penalty spot (1 penalty scored from 1). Their ability to control tempo is reflected in a spread of goals across almost all 15-minute windows, indicating they can create chances throughout the 90 minutes rather than relying on short bursts.

CSKA Sofia’s midfield, by contrast, has been built on work-rate and balance across four different formations (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1). They have contributed to 6 goals in 4 games and helped the side remain unbeaten, but the team’s scoring pattern suggests they are most dangerous between the 16th and 75th minutes, with goals fairly evenly distributed in that period. Whichever midfield gains control of those central zones is likely to tilt the tie.

Maccabi defensive line vs CSKA attacking options

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s defence has been flawless so far in Europe: 0 goals conceded in 2 matches, 2 clean sheets and no games where they failed to score. Their defensive numbers are backed by a comparison model that rates their defensive index at 100 versus 0 for CSKA Sofia, highlighting just how dominant they have been at the back in a small sample.

CSKA Sofia’s attack has been steady rather than explosive, averaging 1.5 goals per game with a biggest win of 3-2 at home and 2-1 away. They have failed to score just once in four outings, suggesting they usually find a way to create chances. The key tactical question is whether CSKA’s varied attacking structures can finally crack a Maccabi defence that has yet to be breached in this Europa League campaign.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recorded recent competitive meetings between Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Sofia in the available data, adding an extra layer of uncertainty and tactical intrigue to this qualifier.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

Stats suggest a very tight first leg. Maccabi Tel Aviv combine a perfect defensive record with strong attacking output, and they also enjoy home advantage at Bloomfield Stadium. The predictive probabilities lean slightly towards the hosts and a stalemate: around 45 out of 100 for a Maccabi win, 45 out of 100 for a draw, and only 10 out of 100 for an away victory. That points to a match where CSKA’s main objective will be to stay in the tie, avoid defeat and possibly nick an away goal.

CSKA Sofia’s unbeaten run across four Europa League games and their flexible formations indicate they are capable of adapting to the occasion. However, their defensive profile – 3 goals conceded in 4 matches and a tendency to allow chances late on – could be problematic against a Maccabi side that scores in multiple phases of the game and has already shown the capacity to dominate away from home as well as at Bloomfield.

With no precise goals prediction available from the models (goal thresholds are set rather than exact scores), the sensible call is a low-scoring game where Maccabi’s defensive solidity and home advantage just about outweigh CSKA’s resilience.

Predicted Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 CSKA Sofia

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s recent Europa League form is outstanding: 2 wins from 2, with 6 goals scored and none conceded. They have shown they can win tight home games (1-0) and dismantle opponents away (5-0), while keeping two clean sheets and converting their only penalty. Their early European campaign reflects a team in control at both ends of the pitch.

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia also arrive in excellent shape, unbeaten in 4 Europa League fixtures with a sequence of 3 wins and 1 draw. They have scored 6 goals and conceded 3, with two clean sheets along the way. Their biggest wins (3-2 at home and 2-1 away) show they can edge tight encounters, though the occasional late defensive lapse remains a concern.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

With no confirmed lineups provided, the likely selection will be drawn from key squad members: goalkeepers O. Melika and R. Mishpati; defenders such as M. Camara, R. Revivo, R. Shlomo, S. Yehezkel and T. Asante; midfield options including K. Belić, D. Glazer, Dor Peretz, I. Shahar, I. Sissokho and K. Andrade; and attacking players like S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon, Y. Malede and Hélo Varela.

Recent statistics show Maccabi alternating between a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3, suggesting tactical flexibility. At home, they may favour a back four with aggressive full-backs like S. Yehezkel and R. Revivo, supported by a robust midfield shield of Glazer and Peretz. The absence of any listed injuries allows the coach to pick a strong, balanced XI capable of pressing high while still protecting that perfect defensive record.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

CSKA Sofia have a deep and varied squad. In goal, D. Evtimov is a leading option, with F. Lapoukhov and D. Nikolov as alternatives. Defensively, players such as J. Gbamin, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez and A. Yordanov provide options across both central and wide roles. The midfield can be built around M. Ebong, Bruno Jordão, S. Sensi, M. Brahimi, J. Iliev and I. Solet Bomawoko, while attacking threats include S. Godoy, M. Phaëton, I. Pittas, K. Dodaj and Léo Pereira.

CSKA have already used four different formations in this Europa League campaign (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1), underlining their tactical versatility. Away from home in a first leg, a more compact 4-1-4-1 or 4-4-2 is likely, aiming to keep the game tight, protect the defensive line and look for counter-attacking opportunities through pace and physical forwards.

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 tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Maccabi Tel Aviv Draw No Bet or Home Win. The prediction model gives Maccabi around a 45% chance of victory and 45% for the draw, with only 10% for an away win. The market broadly agrees, making Maccabi slight favourites: home odds range from 1.95 to 2.03 (implied probability roughly 49.3% to 51.3%), while away odds sit between 3.50 and 3.91 (about 25.6% to 28.6%). Backing the hosts on the main 1X2 line at around 2.00 looks justified by their perfect defensive record and strong home advantage.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 goals. Both sides have generally been involved in relatively controlled matches: Maccabi have seen one 1-0 and one 5-0, while CSKA’s games average 2.3 total goals (6 scored, 3 conceded in 4 matches). The predictive advice explicitly leans towards a combination of Maccabi or draw with under 3.5 goals, reflecting expectations of a tight first leg where neither side wants to take excessive risks.
• Value Tip: Draw in the Match Winner market. With the draw priced between 3.10 and 3.42 (implied probability around 29.2% to 32.3%) against a model probability of 45 out of 100, the stalemate appears slightly undervalued. Given CSKA’s unbeaten run and Maccabi’s strong but still early-season sample, a cagey 1-1 or 0-0 is plausible, making the draw a potential value angle.

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