- CSKA have won seven, drawn two and lost just one of their last ten all-competition games.
- Maccabi Tel-Aviv have won five, drawn two and lost three of their last ten all-competition matches.
- The most recent head-to-head game between these sides finished 3-0 in CSKA's favour in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026.
CSKA have Maccabi's measure in the stats book
PFC CSKA Sofia have won four games in a row and the 3-0 result they recorded against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 was their most recent victory in that sequence, so the Bulgarian outfit have the momentum and psychological edge coming into Thursday's matchup.
Hristo Yanev has done a superb job to get CSKA drilled and ready since taking the reigns on 24 September 2025. His side are compact, organised and ruthless on the counter attack, which makes them a bad matchup for a team like Maccabi that likes to play a higher tempo game.
Kenny Miller has led the Sky Blues to victory in four of their last five matches, and a higher-tempo, wide-heavy approach with energy and cleverness in the combination play have been the cornerstones of his reign since 1 July 2026. However, the 3-0 defeat to CSKA in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 was an exception in that run of results and Maccabi Tel-Aviv will need to tighten up and control the game better if they are to avoid getting taken apart again.
Maccabi's set-pieces could stretch CSKA
This has the feel of a very close game in Bulgaria, but it is CSKA who look the likeliest winner after that recent 3-0 victory, and our PFC CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv prediction is that the home side should have enough to edge it. Maccabi have the ability to cause problems, especially when they are allowed to get wide players on the ball and in set-piece situations, but it is difficult to escape the feeling that this game will be cagey and tense.
The draw at 3.1 is too big for our taste, while the 2.0 available on the side is also too short. The match odds for Maccabi at 4.05 are very appealing, but we'll take the safer bet on under 2.5 goals at 1.75 and both teams to score No at 1.93, which fits our PFC CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv betting tips. This PFC CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv preview also points to a tight tactical battle rather than an open contest.
Ioannis Pittas is CSKA's main man in Europe with three goals in five matches in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026, while Sayed Abu Farkhi has been Maccabi's sharpest edge with two in three in the competition and four in his last five-game span overall. Joel Zwarts has bagged four goals in CSKA's last five games as the Lions have scored eight in total during that run, so PFC CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv prediction remains focused on the hosts' efficiency in front of goal.
