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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 clash that already feels like a key early test for both clubs’ group-stage ambitions. With both sides unbeaten so far in this European campaign, this first leg in Israel should set the tone for a finely poised tie.

The hosts have started their Europa League journey in ruthless fashion, winning both matches, scoring freely away and keeping things tight at home. CSKA Sofia arrive with more games under their belt in this competition, also undefeated and showing a balanced mix of attacking threat and defensive resilience. For bettors and fans searching for Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia prediction, Europa League betting tips and match analysis, this fixture offers a compelling blend of form lines and tactical intrigue.

Under the lights at Bloomfield Stadium, Maccabi’s strong defensive numbers at home will be tested by a CSKA side that has already shown it can win on the road in Europe. With qualification money and coefficient points at stake, expect a cagey but high-quality encounter where fine margins, set pieces and discipline could decide the outcome.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

  • Maccabi Tel Aviv have won both of their Europa League matches so far, with 6 goals scored and none conceded across 2 games.
  • CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in 4 Europa League fixtures this season, winning 3 and drawing 1.
  • Maccabi Tel Aviv average 3.0 goals scored per match and 0.0 conceded; CSKA Sofia average 1.5 scored and 0.8 conceded in this 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) vs CSKA Sofia 2 (tournament statistics)

Formal group standings are not yet in play at this qualifying stage, but early Europa League statistics give a clear picture of how both teams arrive. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been perfect through 2 matches, winning home and away, scoring 6 and conceding none. That blend of a free-scoring away performance (5 goals in one game) and a controlled 1-0 home win underlines their adaptability in two different tactical setups (3-5-2 and 4-3-3).

CSKA Sofia, with 4 matches already played, have shown consistency and resilience. Three wins and a draw, with 6 goals scored and only 3 conceded, point to a side that can manage tight contests. They have scored more at home (4) than away (2), but crucially have already produced an away win (1-2), suggesting they won’t be overawed by the trip to Tel-Aviv. Both teams boast 2 clean sheets in their Europa League statistics, hinting that defences could dominate the narrative in this first leg.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Matchups

Maccabi Tel Aviv attack vs CSKA Sofia defence

With no individual top scorers listed, the primary matchup is collective: Maccabi’s attack versus CSKA’s back line. Maccabi have produced 6 goals in just 2 Europa League games, including a 5-goal explosion away from home. Their goals are spread across time windows — they have scored in each 15-minute segment from 0–15, 16–30, 46–60, 61–75 and 76–90 — which suggests they can threaten throughout the match rather than relying on fast starts or late surges.

CSKA Sofia’s defence, however, has been relatively solid. Across 4 matches they have conceded only 3 goals, with an average of 0.8 per game. Most of their concessions have come after the break, particularly in the final quarter of an hour where a significant share of goals against have been recorded. If Maccabi maintain their habit of scoring in multiple phases, the later stages in Tel-Aviv could see the home side pushing hard against a CSKA defence that has occasionally wobbled late on.

CSKA Sofia midfield balance vs Maccabi Tel Aviv pressing structure

CSKA Sofia have used four different formations in their 4 Europa League matches (4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-1-4-1), indicating tactical flexibility and a midfield capable of adapting to different roles. Their ability to control central areas has underpinned a record of 3 wins and 1 draw, with 6 goals scored and only 3 conceded.

Maccabi Tel Aviv have alternated between 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 in their 2 games, systems that can both generate a strong press in midfield. Their perfect defensive record (0 goals conceded) suggests the structure in front of the back line has been well-organised. How CSKA’s rotating midfield shapes cope with Maccabi’s pressing and positional play — particularly in transitions — will be central to whether the visitors can create enough chances away from home.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recorded recent head-to-head meetings between Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Sofia in the available data, so this tie effectively starts with a clean slate in terms of historical trends.

    Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

    Stats suggest a tight, low-scoring first leg. Maccabi Tel Aviv come in with a flawless Europa League record: 2 wins from 2, 6 scored and 0 conceded, plus 2 clean sheets. CSKA Sofia’s sample is larger but similarly positive: 4 games, 3 wins, 1 draw, 6 goals scored and 3 conceded, with 2 clean sheets of their own.

    The prediction model leans slightly towards the hosts with a 45% chance of a Maccabi Tel Aviv win, a 45% chance of a draw, and only a 10% probability assigned to an away victory. That aligns with market pricing, which has Maccabi as narrow favourites but still respectful of CSKA’s form. The “win or draw” angle for the hosts, combined with an expectation of fewer than 3.5 goals, points to a controlled home performance rather than a wide-open shootout.

    Given Maccabi’s perfect defensive record and CSKA’s solid, if not spectacular, attack, a tight home win or a draw feels most likely. With no reliable numerical goal prediction (the goals fields are threshold markers, not scores), a conservative estimate is that Maccabi edge it by a single goal in a game where chances are at a premium.

    Predicted Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 CSKA Sofia

    Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

    Maccabi Tel Aviv’s recent Europa League form has been impeccable. They have won both of their matches, one at home and one away, without conceding a single goal. Offensively, they have averaged 3.0 goals per game, including a dominant 5-goal performance on their travels. The combination of a 2-match winning streak, 2 clean sheets and a 100% penalty conversion rate underlines a side playing with confidence and efficiency at this stage of the competition.

    CSKA Sofia Recent Form

    CSKA Sofia arrive in Tel-Aviv unbeaten in 4 Europa League fixtures, with a record of 3 wins and 1 draw. Their recent form reflects a balanced team: 6 goals scored (1.5 per match) and just 3 conceded (0.8 per match). They have shown they can both edge tight home games (including a 3-2 win) and pick up results away, with 1 away win and 1 away draw. Two clean sheets and no defeats suggest a team that is hard to break down and knows how to manage European ties.

    Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

    GK: O. Melika or R. Mishpati; Defenders: T. Asante, M. Camara, R. Revivo, R. Shlomo, S. Yehezkel; Midfielders: K. Belić, D. Glazer, Dor Peretz, I. Shahar, I. Sissokho, K. Andrade; Forwards: S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon, Y. Malede.

    Maccabi Tel Aviv have a deep squad with multiple options in defence and midfield. Their previous use of both 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 suggests flexibility: they can either pack the midfield to control possession or deploy wider attacking options to stretch CSKA’s back line. With 2 clean sheets in 2 matches, the defensive unit — likely anchored by experienced figures such as M. Camara and R. Shlomo — will be central to their game plan. In attack, a mix of younger forwards like S. Farhi and E. Madmon and more experienced wide options such as Y. Malede offers variety, while midfielders like D. Glazer and Dor Peretz provide balance between ball-winning and distribution.

    CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

    GK: D. Evtimov; Defenders: J. Gbamin, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez, A. Yordanov; Midfielders: M. Ebong, Bruno Jordão, J. Iliev, M. Brahimi, S. Sensi, I. Solet Bomawoko, J. Eto'o; Forwards: S. Godoy, M. Phaëton, I. Pittas, K. Dodaj.

    CSKA Sofia’s squad list and formation history point to a side comfortable in several shapes, from back fours to a three-man defence. D. Evtimov brings experience in goal, while defenders such as Adrián Lapeña and Á. Martino provide a solid platform. In midfield, players like M. Ebong, Bruno Jordão and S. Sensi suggest a technically capable core that can retain the ball and support both defence and attack. Up front, options like M. Phaëton, I. Pittas and S. Godoy give CSKA a mix of movement and physical presence, ideal for counter-attacking away from home. Expect them to set up compactly, looking to exploit transitions rather than dominate possession.

    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 markets are considered below, combining probability estimates with available prices.

    • Result Tip: Maccabi Tel Aviv Draw No Bet (Home-focused result)
      With a 45% chance of a home win and 45% on the draw versus only 10% on a CSKA victory, siding with the hosts makes sense. Match Winner odds for Maccabi range from 1.95 to 2.03, implying roughly 49.3% to 51.3% chance based on different bookmakers. Taking a home-focused angle (such as Home win or a conservative home-sided result market) aligns with both the model edge and market pricing, while respecting CSKA’s unbeaten run.
    • Goals Tip: Under 3.5 Goals
      Both teams have strong defensive records: Maccabi have yet to concede in 2 games, CSKA allow only 0.8 goals per match. The prediction advice explicitly combines “Maccabi Tel Aviv or draw” with under 3.5 goals, reflecting an expectation of a tight contest. While specific under/over odds are not listed, the low-concession profiles and first-leg dynamics support a cautious goals angle such as under 3.5.
    • Value Tip: Draw in Match Winner market
      The draw is priced between 3.10 and 3.42, implying an approximate probability range of 29.2% (1 ÷ 3.42 × 100) to 32.3% (1 ÷ 3.10 × 100). The prediction model, however, assigns a 45% chance to the draw, suggesting potential value if you believe in a cagey first leg between two unbeaten, defensively solid sides. With both teams boasting clean sheets and CSKA experienced in managing tight away games, the stalemate is a live runner at these odds.

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

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