CSKA Sofia vs OFI Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

CSKA Sofia host OFI at National Stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia on 27 August 2026 in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League Play-offs tie. After a heavy 3-0 defeat in Heraklion a week earlier, the Bulgarian side face a steep uphill battle to keep their group-stage hopes alive.

For CSKA Sofia, this is about salvaging pride and attempting a dramatic turnaround at home, where they have generally been competitive in Europe. OFI, meanwhile, travel to Sofia with a commanding advantage and the knowledge that even a draw or narrow defeat will be enough to see them through to the Europa League proper.

With the aggregate score at 3-0 to OFI and both teams showing contrasting early European form, this fixture shapes up as a classic clash between a side chasing a miracle comeback and another looking to manage the tie professionally and finish the job.

CSKA Sofia vs OFI Key Stats

• CSKA Sofia have played 7 Europa League matches this campaign, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 2, with 10 goals scored and 9 conceded.
• The only previous meeting between these sides came on 20 August 2026, when OFI beat CSKA Sofia 3-0 in Heraklion in the Europa League Play-offs.
• In Europa League statistics this season, CSKA Sofia have kept 3 clean sheets in 7 matches, while OFI have 1 clean sheet from their single match.

CSKA Sofia vs OFI — 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) vs OFI 1 (tournament statistics)

Group-stage standings are not yet in play, but tournament statistics give a clear picture of how these teams have approached Europa League qualifying. CSKA Sofia have already been through seven matches, winning more than half and maintaining a positive goal difference (10 scored, 9 conceded). Their three clean sheets suggest they can be solid at the back, but the 3-0 loss in Crete highlighted defensive vulnerabilities when pressed by higher intensity opposition.

OFI’s sample size is far smaller but highly impressive: one Europa League match, a 3-0 home win in the first leg, with a clean sheet and a penalty converted. Their 3.0 goals-per-game average and zero goals conceded underline how dominant they were in Heraklion. The question for the second leg is whether they can replicate that level away from home, or whether they will shift into a more conservative, game-management mode to protect their aggregate lead.

CSKA Sofia vs OFI Key Matchups

Bruno Jordão vs Aitor Cantalapiedra

Bruno Jordão has been one of CSKA Sofia’s key attacking midfielders in this Europa League campaign. Across 2 appearances, he has scored 1 goal and also appears among the club’s leading contributors in both goals and assists lists. His ability to arrive late in the box and contribute directly to scoring will be crucial if CSKA are to break down a defence that kept them scoreless in the first leg.

On the other side, Aitor Cantalapiedra stands out in OFI’s squad list as an experienced creative midfielder. While detailed Europa League stats for him are not provided, his role and profile suggest he can be a major outlet in transition. With OFI likely to have less of the ball in Sofia, Aitor’s ability to link midfield to attack and exploit space when CSKA commit numbers forward could be decisive in killing the tie with an away goal.

Pastor vs OFI’s central defence unit

Pastor has been influential for CSKA Sofia from the back. In 2 Europa League appearances, the defender has provided 1 assist, underlining his value in build-up and set-piece situations. With CSKA needing goals, his delivery from wide areas and ability to step into midfield could be a key weapon.

He will be up against a disciplined OFI back line that has yet to concede in this Europa League campaign and kept CSKA off the scoresheet in the 3-0 first-leg win. OFI’s defensive statistics — 0 goals conceded and a clean sheet in their only Europa League outing — suggest a compact, well-organised unit. How Pastor and CSKA’s attacking structure can stretch and disrupt that organisation will go a long way to determining whether the hosts can mount any sort of comeback.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These clubs have only recently crossed paths on the European stage, with the first leg in Crete setting the tone for this tie. OFI currently hold all the psychological and numerical advantages heading into Sofia.

• 20 August 2026: OFI 3-0 CSKA Sofia (UEFA Europa League)

CSKA Sofia vs OFI Prediction

Stats suggest a complex dynamic for the second leg. Over 7 Europa League matches, CSKA Sofia average 1.4 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per game, with a reasonably strong home record (2 wins from 3, 5 scored and 5 conceded). However, they arrive on the back of a 3-0 defeat to this same opponent and must chase the game from the first whistle.

OFI, by contrast, come in with perfect Europa League form: 1 win from 1, 3 goals scored and none conceded. Their last-five metrics show strong defensive numbers — 3 goals scored and 0 conceded in that single match — and their formation choice (3-4-3) in the first leg suggests a balanced approach capable of both pressing and dropping off.

The prediction model gives CSKA Sofia only a 10% chance of winning in regulation, with the draw and an OFI win each rated at 45%. That implies a high likelihood that OFI avoid defeat and complete the job. Given CSKA’s need to attack and OFI’s proven threat on the counter, a cautious but competitive second leg is likely, with the visitors doing enough to progress without needing another big scoreline.

Predicted Score: CSKA Sofia 1-1 OFI

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

In Europa League action this season, CSKA Sofia’s recent form reads as mixed but generally positive: 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats across 7 matches. They have scored 10 goals (1.4 per game) and conceded 9 (1.3 per game), with three clean sheets indicating they can be defensively solid when structured well. However, they have also suffered heavy losses, including a 3-0 away defeat — precisely the scoreline they now need to overturn. Their last-five performance metrics show moderate attacking output but some defensive fragility, with 5 goals scored and 6 conceded in that span.

OFI Recent Form

OFI’s Europa League form is short but emphatic: a single match, a 3-0 home win over CSKA Sofia. That result gives them a 100% win rate, 3.0 goals scored per game and 0.0 conceded. Their last-five indicator reflects this dominance, with 3 goals for and none against. While the sample size is small, it underlines that they have started their European campaign in excellent shape and will arrive in Sofia with confidence and a clear tactical blueprint that has already worked once against this opponent.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

GK: D. Evtimov; Defenders: Pastor, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, A. Yordanov; Midfielders: Bruno Jordão, M. Ebong, S. Sensi, M. Brahimi; Forwards: S. Godoy, I. Pittas.

CSKA Sofia have a deep squad with multiple defensive and midfield options, including experienced figures like D. Evtimov in goal and a mix of ball-playing defenders such as Pastor and Adrián Lapeña. In midfield, Bruno Jordão and S. Sensi offer creativity and control, while M. Brahimi can provide width and direct running. Up front, S. Godoy and I. Pittas give them a physical and aerial presence. Tactically, they have used a variety of shapes in Europa League play — including 4-3-3, 4-3-1-2 and 3-5-2 — but chasing a three-goal deficit likely pushes them towards a more attacking 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 setup.

OFI Possible Starting Lineup

GK: N. Christogeorgos; Defenders: L. Dickmann, Borja González, D. Nikolaou, N. Marinakis; Midfielders: A. Bouchalakis, G. Kanellópoulos, T. Androutsos, Aitor Cantalapiedra; Forwards: T. Fountas, A. Leya.

OFI’s squad list suggests a solid defensive core with experienced players like L. Dickmann, Borja González and D. Nikolaou, supported by versatile midfielders such as A. Bouchalakis and T. Androutsos. In attack, T. Fountas and A. Leya provide movement and finishing, while Aitor Cantalapiedra can operate between the lines. They used a 3-4-3 in their Europa League outing so far, and with a 3-0 aggregate lead, they may again opt for a flexible back three or a more conservative back four, prioritising compactness and quick transitions.

CSKA Sofia Team News

No significant absences reported.

OFI Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

CSKA Sofia:

• None reported.

OFI:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: CSKA Sofia vs OFI

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back CSKA Sofia to win the match. The betting markets make CSKA clear favourites on the night, with home-win odds ranging from 1.58 to 1.65, implying an approximate probability between 60.6% (1 ÷ 1.65 × 100) and 63.3% (1 ÷ 1.58 × 100). While the prediction model rates OFI and the draw each at 45% in terms of progression outcomes, CSKA’s home advantage, greater match volume in Europa League and the need to attack make a narrow home win a realistic result even if OFI ultimately progress on aggregate.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. CSKA Sofia average 1.4 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per Europa League game, while OFI’s only match finished 3-0. With OFI likely to adopt a more conservative approach to protect their aggregate lead, a tight tactical encounter is probable. Look for bookmakers’ under 3.5 lines (odds not explicitly listed here but typically shorter than big goal lines), with the expectation that the game stays within a 0-0, 1-1 or 2-1 type scoreline.
• Value Tip: Draw in the match winner market. Draw odds range from 3.82 to 4.00, implying probabilities between 24.9% (1 ÷ 4.00 × 100) and 26.2% (1 ÷ 3.82 × 100). The prediction model, however, gives the draw a 45% chance, indicating potential value if you believe OFI can manage the game and avoid defeat. With OFI already 3-0 up on aggregate, a controlled performance aiming for a stalemate would suit them perfectly, making the draw an attractive value angle.

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