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National Stadium Vasil Levski
Maccabi Tel Aviv won
CSKA Sofia host Maccabi Tel Aviv in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League qualifying tie, sitting on a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg. That cushion changes the tactical picture entirely, allowing the Bulgarian side to sit compact at home and pick their moments on the counter, a setup that suits their recent run of four wins in five matches.
Maccabi Tel Aviv arrive needing a near-impossible turnaround, which typically pushes visiting teams into higher-risk, more open approaches that can be exploited on the break. With no fresh injury or suspension news affecting either squad, the underlying form and tactical logic from the first leg largely carry over into this fixture.
The market reflects this balance well, with odds hovering around 40% for a home win, 29% for the draw, and 31% for Maccabi. Given the low-pressure context for CSKA and their defensive discipline this season, backing the hosts to secure the leg outright offers a reasonable value angle, particularly in markets tied to match result rather than aggregate progression.
Overall, CSKA Sofia's control of the tie, home advantage, and stable squad situation support a moderate edge toward a home win, though the draw remains a live outcome given Maccabi's lack of incentive to overcommit attackers against a well-organized defense.
Last 1 head-to-head matchups
The only meeting between these sides in the last two years came in the first leg of this very Europa...
The only meeting between these sides in the last two years came in the first leg of this very Europa League qualifying tie on August 6, when CSKA Sofia won 3-0 away at Maccabi Tel Aviv. That result gives CSKA a commanding aggregate advantage heading into this return fixture in Sofia. With no prior history before this tie, the pattern is clear: CSKA have dominated the head-to-head so far and Maccabi must produce an unprecedented reversal to overturn the deficit.
Last 15 matches across all competitionsUEFA Europa League matches highlighted
5 of 15 in UEFA Europa League
Form Rating
8/10
CSKA Sofia are red-hot, winning four of their last five matches and losing none, including...
CSKA Sofia are red-hot, winning four of their last five matches and losing none, including that emphatic 3-0 win over tonight's opponents. They've conceded only three goals across five games, with three clean sheets, showing genuine defensive solidity to complement a sharp attack averaging 1.8 goals per game. Their away form has been particularly strong (two wins, one draw from three), but they've also won both home games played this season. Playing with a 3-0 aggregate cushion, expect them to control tempo. No specific injury concerns are indicated in the data, and their balanced scoring across multiple matches suggests they can hurt Maccabi again on home soil.
3 of 15 in UEFA Europa League
Form Rating
6/10
Maccabi Tel Aviv have won two of their last three, but the one loss was...
Maccabi Tel Aviv have won two of their last three, but the one loss was the damaging 3-0 defeat to CSKA in the first leg. They've scored six goals in three games, showing they can still create chances, but they've also conceded three, including that heavy defeat. Their away record shows one win from one game this season, a small sample that offers little reassurance given the size of the deficit they face. With almost the entire tie needing to be turned around, Maccabi will likely commit to an attacking approach in Sofia, which could leave them exposed to further counter-attacking damage from CSKA.
2026 Season
No reported injuries or suspensions for either team
Moderate
Strong
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CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv - Match Analysis
The bookmaker odds (40.2% CSKA, 31.0% Maccabi) reflect only this individual leg, not the aggregate tie. CSKA already won the first leg 3-0, giving them a near-insurmountable cushion. Even if this match itself is closely fought, CSKA's overall position in the tie is extremely strong. Their recent form — four wins in five games with just three goals conceded — adds further weight to backing them here.
Maccabi must score at least three unanswered goals to force extra time, a huge task against a CSKA defense that's conceded just three goals in five matches with three clean sheets. Their away form this season is a small sample, and they've already been beaten 3-0 by this exact opponent. Committing numbers forward to chase the tie could also expose them to further counter-attacking damage.
Draw No Bet: CSKA Sofia is a strong alternative, protecting against a draw while backing the in-form hosts. Over 2.5 Goals also stands out given the 3.8 combined goals per game average and Maccabi's need to attack aggressively from behind on aggregate, which should create space for CSKA to exploit on the break and add further goals to the scoreline.
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