Europa League

CSKA Sofia

13 Aug 2026 19:00

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Prediction:

CSKA Sofia to win 2.16

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CSKA SofiaDraw Maccabi Tel Aviv

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Predictions, Picks & Odds – 13/08/2026

Europa League · 3rd Qualifying Round

Our prediction

1X: Double Chance CSKA Sofia or Draw

2.16 on Stake · Confidence High

Odds recorded on 13 Aug 2026 at 21:35 · Odds are subject to change

CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Preview

CSKA Sofia arrive at Stadion Vasil Levski in superb form, unbeaten so far this season with three wins and two draws from their last five outings. A thumping 3-0 victory in the first leg has all but sealed their passage to the play-off round. Coach Hristo Yanev will look to keep his settled side disciplined and avoid any defensive lapses. The hosts were previously fined by UEFA for fan disorder, though that sanction has now been served.

Maccabi Tel Aviv face a near-impossible task, needing to overturn a three-goal deficit away from home. Their recent form offers some encouragement, with two consecutive wins following an earlier defeat, but the scale of the challenge is immense. Coach Kenny Miller has acknowledged the mountain his side must climb. Compounding their difficulties, geopolitical circumstances mean Maccabi have been unable to host European fixtures in Israel, robbing them of genuine home advantage throughout this campaign.

CSKA Sofia's double chance selection, covered by the home win at 2.16, reflects the reality of a side sitting on a 3-0 aggregate cushion. With three wins and two draws across their recent five matches, the hosts have been remarkably difficult to beat. They have every reason to manage the game pragmatically rather than chase goals, making a collapse here deeply unlikely.

Maccabi Tel Aviv need to score at least three without reply, a monumental ask against a settled defensive unit coached by Hristo Yanev. Kenny Miller's side have won two of their last three, yet that form was built in less pressurised circumstances. Overturning this deficit at a neutral-feeling venue, given their ongoing inability to host European ties in Israel, compounds the difficulty.

The under 2.5 goals line at 1.71 also warrants attention. CSKA Sofia have little incentive to push forward aggressively, and a low-tempo, controlled display suits their objectives perfectly. Should the hosts take an early stranglehold on possession and tempo, Maccabi could find themselves starved of the opportunities required to mount a comeback. Odds correct at time of publication.

Trends to Know about CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

• CSKA Sofia unbeaten in last five matches
• Maccabi trail 3-0 on aggregate
• Hosts won 3-0 in recent league outing

A 4-4-2 versus 4-3-3 contest shapes up at Balgarska Armiya, with CSKA Sofia's compact midfield block set to test Maccabi Tel Aviv's wider, possession-oriented triangle. Sensi in the centre of the park will be a key figure in whether the hosts can disrupt the Israeli side's rhythm through the lines.

Both lineups carry probable status from a single shared source, so a degree of caution is warranted before treating either XI as fully settled. Maccabi's front three, anchored by Varela, will look to exploit the spaces behind CSKA's wide midfielders in what promises to be a tightly contested European qualifier.

How to Watch CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Match?

What time is CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv?

This Europa League third qualifying round clash kicks off at 19:00 on 13 August 2026 at Stadion Vasil Levski.

Where is CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv being played?

This match takes place at Stadion Vasil Levski in Sofia, Bulgaria.

How Can I Watch CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv on TV and Live Stream?

Check local listings for Europa League coverage; Indian viewers can find the match on select streaming platforms.