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 clashes at this stage. With both sides unbeaten so far in their European campaigns, this match should provide a clear early indicator of who has the upper hand in the race for a place in the play-off round.

The Israeli side come into this qualifier with a perfect Europa League record in 2026: two wins from two, six goals scored and none conceded. CSKA Sofia, however, have been almost as impressive, with three wins and one draw from four games, also unbeaten and with a solid defensive record. With the betting markets rating Maccabi Tel Aviv as narrow favourites but the prediction models suggesting a strong chance of a draw, this looks like a tight, tactical battle rather than a one-sided affair.

Home advantage at Bloomfield Stadium, Maccabi’s flawless defensive numbers so far, and CSKA’s slightly deeper Europa League sample all combine to make this a fascinating contest for fans and bettors alike. Those looking for Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia predictions and betting tips will find plenty of angles in the contrasting strengths of these two sides.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Key Stats

• Maccabi Tel Aviv have won both of their Europa League fixtures in 2026, scoring 6 goals and conceding 0.
• CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in four Europa League games this campaign, with 3 wins and 1 draw and only 3 goals conceded.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League attack is averaging 3.0 goals per game, while CSKA Sofia average 1.5 goals per game across their qualifiers.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia — Tale of the Tape

• Position: Not available vs Not available
• Points: Not available vs Not available
• Goals For: 6 vs 6 (Europa League 2026 qualifiers)
• Goals Against: 0 vs 3 (Europa League 2026 qualifiers)
• Clean Sheets: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2; CSKA Sofia 2 (Europa League 2026 qualifiers)

There is no formal group or league table yet for these qualifiers, but the early Europa League statistics paint a clear picture. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been ruthless in a small two-match sample: two wins, six goals scored, none conceded, and clean sheets both home and away. They have also shown flexibility in shape, using both 3-5-2 and 4-3-3.

CSKA Sofia’s four-game body of work is slightly larger and almost as strong. Three wins and one draw, six goals scored and three conceded underline a side that can both create and manage games. They have also kept two clean sheets and have demonstrated tactical versatility with four different formations used already, including 4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-1-4-1. While Maccabi’s numbers are more dominant defensively, CSKA’s extra matches and unbeaten run suggest they are well battle-tested coming into Tel-Aviv.

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 midfield battle as a collective becomes crucial. Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League statistics show a side that controls games: six goals scored and none conceded in just two matches, with a 100% win rate and no failures to score. Their ability to keep clean sheets while averaging 3.0 goals per match points to a well-balanced midfield that protects the back line and supports the attack.

CSKA Sofia’s midfield has delivered across a larger four-match sample, averaging 1.5 goals scored and just 0.8 conceded per game. They have failed to score only once and have kept two clean sheets. That blend of solidity and productivity suggests a unit capable of absorbing pressure away from home while still posing a threat on transitions and set pieces. The side that wins the central battle is likely to dictate tempo and territory in Tel-Aviv.

Defensive discipline: Maccabi Tel Aviv back line vs CSKA Sofia back line

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s defensive numbers are flawless so far: 0 goals conceded across two Europa League fixtures, with both matches ending in clean sheets. Their biggest wins — 1-0 at home and 5-0 away — underline a defence that remains secure even when the attack is dominant. They have also avoided heavy disciplinary issues, with just a single yellow card recorded in the 46–60 minute window of their matches.

CSKA Sofia have conceded three goals in four matches, an average of 0.8 per game, and have also registered two clean sheets. However, their yellow card distribution is heavier and more spread out, including late in games (notably in the 91–105 and 106–120 minute ranges), which hints at a tendency to pick up bookings when defending leads or under pressure. In a tight qualifier away from home, that discipline gap could be a subtle but important edge for Maccabi.

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 blank slate in historical terms.

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

All available indicators point to a very finely balanced first leg. Maccabi Tel Aviv have been perfect so far in the Europa League qualifiers, with two wins, six goals scored and none conceded, and they now add a significant home advantage at Bloomfield Stadium. Their defensive record and clean-sheet streak suggest they will be difficult to break down, especially in front of their own fans.

CSKA Sofia, however, arrive unbeaten in four Europa League matches with three wins, one draw and only three goals conceded. Their slightly lower scoring rate compared to Maccabi is offset by their larger sample size and the fact they have already proven they can get results both home and away. The comparison model slightly favours CSKA overall (total index 56.5 vs 44.0), while the Poisson index leans heavily towards Maccabi, underlining how conflicting metrics make this a tricky call.

The probability split underlines the uncertainty: Maccabi Tel Aviv are given a 45% chance of winning, the draw also stands at 45%, and CSKA Sofia are rated at 10%. That effectively frames this as “Maccabi or draw” territory, with a low likelihood of an away win. With total goals guidance leaning under 3.5 and both teams showing strong defensive numbers, a low-scoring, cagey encounter looks most likely.

Predicted Score: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 CSKA Sofia

Maccabi Tel Aviv Recent Form

Maccabi Tel Aviv have started their 2026 Europa League campaign in outstanding fashion. Across two matches they have a perfect record of two wins, six goals scored and none conceded, with a 100% win rate in their last five. They have not failed to score in any of those games and have kept clean sheets both home and away, highlighting a team in excellent early-season rhythm.

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

CSKA Sofia’s recent Europa League form is also strong. Over four matches they are unbeaten with three wins and one draw, reflected in an 83% last-five form index. They average 1.5 goals scored and 0.8 conceded per game, with two clean sheets and only one match in which they failed to score. Their results suggest a resilient side that can manage different game states and is comfortable grinding out results.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Possible Starting Lineup

With no confirmed lineups for this specific fixture, a likely structure for Maccabi Tel Aviv could feature:

Goalkeepers: O. Melika; R. Mishpati; S. Saadia
Defenders: T. Asante, I. Ben Hamo, N. Ben Harush, M. Camara, R. Revivo, S. Rosen, N. Schwartz, R. Shlomo, S. Yehezkel
Midfielders: K. Andrade, Lotem Asres, O. N. Azo, K. Belić, I. Ben Simon, Eran Ginat, D. Glazer, I. Noy, Dor Peretz, I. Shahar, I. Sissokho, O. Davida, Hélio Varela
Forwards: S. Farhi, Orel Baaia, E. Madmon, Y. Malede

Maccabi have already used both 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 in the Europa League, suggesting tactical flexibility. With a deep pool of midfielders and versatile defenders like S. Yehezkel and M. Camara, they can switch between a back three and a back four depending on game state. The clean-sheet record indicates a well-drilled defensive unit, while the spread of attacking options should allow them to maintain intensity throughout the 90 minutes.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

CSKA Sofia also have a broad squad and have experimented with several formations in their four Europa League matches:

Goalkeepers: D. Evtimov, F. Lapoukhov, D. Nikolov
Defenders: J. Gbamin, T. Ivanov, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, Pastor, Facundo Santiago Rodríguez, A. Tunchev, A. Yordanov, Tamimou Ouorou
Midfielders: G. Chorbadzhiyski, M. Ebong, J. Eto'o, J. Iliev, Bruno Jordão, V. Kaymakanov, P. Panayotov, S. Sensi, I. Solet Bomawoko, M. Brahimi, Léo Pereira, A. Piedrahita
Forwards: K. Dodaj, S. Godoy, M. Phaëton, I. Pittas, R. Zhivkov, J. Zwarts

Formations used so far include 4-3-1-2, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-1-4-1, underlining CSKA’s tactical adaptability. With experienced midfielders such as S. Sensi and Bruno Jordão and a variety of attacking profiles in M. Phaëton, I. Pittas and others, they can set up either to press higher or to sit deeper and counter. Their ability to keep two clean sheets and limit opponents to 0.8 goals per game suggests a side comfortable in structured defensive setups, which will be key away in Tel-Aviv.

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. With Maccabi given a 45% win probability and CSKA just 10%, plus the “win or draw” lean towards the hosts, backing the home side with draw protection looks sensible. Match-winner odds for the home team range from 1.95 to 2.03 (implied probability roughly 49.3% to 51.3%), suggesting slight value when combined with their perfect defensive record.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. Both teams have strong defensive numbers: Maccabi have yet to concede in two games, while CSKA allow only 0.8 goals per match over four fixtures. The prediction advice explicitly combines Maccabi or draw with under 3.5 goals, reinforcing the expectation of a tight, relatively low-scoring contest. Look for under 3.5 goals in the totals market at suitable odds.
• Value Tip: Draw in the match result market. The draw is priced between 3.10 and 3.42 across bookmakers, implying a probability range of about 29.2% to 32.3%, yet the prediction model assigns a 45% chance to the stalemate. With both sides unbeaten, CSKA’s solid away record and Maccabi’s strong defence, the draw stands out as a potential value play.

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