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Two Eastern European teams – Borac Banja Luka and Levski Sofia – at the peak of their domestic successes begin their journey for qualification to the UEFA Champions League in the first round. This first-leg clash will take place at Banja Luka City Stadium on Tuesday, July 7.
Borac, the club from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s second largest city, enter the qualifying phase on the back of a second league title in three years. Meanwhile, Levski Sofia won their first Bulgarian league title in almost two decades.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Borac vs Levski Sofia key stats
- Borac have won only four league titles in their history – three in the past five years.
- The Red-Blues lost only one of their three club friendlies in the summer (W2, D1).
- Levski Sofia went unbeaten across their four friendlies, winning three.
- In 2006, the Sinite became the first Bulgarian side to participate in the Champions League.
Borac vs Levski Sofia preview: The clash of domestic titans
Borac vs Levski Sofia — Tale of the Tape
| Borac | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Bosnian Premier League) | Position | 1st (Bulgaria First League) |
| 86 | Points | 81 |
| 76 | Goals For | 71 |
| 20 | Goals Against | 25 |
| 20 | Clean Sheets | 14 |
| 1st | Home/Away Rank | 1st |
Borac Banja Luka have shaken the status quo in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past half-decade. Since 2020/21, they have won the Bosnian Premier League thrice, dethroning Zrinjski Mostar regularly along the way.
They finished the 2025/26 league season unbeaten in 17 games, with clean sheets in each of their final five outings.
Vinko Marinovic’s men played in the 2023/24 UCL qualification phase, making it until the second round before Greek giants PAOK eliminated them 4-2 on aggregate. Since then, the Conference League has been their go-to competition.
The Red-Blues went through their first three summer friendlies undefeated, before Russian club Akhmat Grozny won 3-1 in their latest fixture.
Levski Sofia also enter Champions League qualification as domestic champions. The Bulgarian heavyweights won the First League for the first time since 2008/09, ending Ludogorets Razgrad’s 14-season hegemony.
They are unbeaten in seven successive matches, including three competitive games to end the previous league season, followed by four friendlies over the summer.
The Sinite bulldozed through their friendly opponents, averaging four goals per game and conceding only once. Julio Velazquez has a match-ready squad at his disposal.
The last time Levski played in the UCL qualifiers was in 2009/10, when they made it through two rounds before tasting elimination. A victory here will be a big step towards returning to Europe’s top tier since their group stage appearance in 2006/07.
Borac vs Levski Sofia form guide & betting tips
| Borac Banja Luka | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
W
W
W
D
L
|
Form |
D
W
W
D
W
|
| 13 | Goals For | 16 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 1 |
N/A |
UEFA Champions League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Borac 2-2 Levski Sofia
Both sides come into this fixture in high spirits, although Borac tasted a friendly defeat last time out. However, their home advantage will prove vital against a travelling Levski Sofia. A Draw at 23/10 (3.30) offers excellent value.
Levski have been in furious form over the summer. Although Borac will represent a big step up in terms of opposition faced recently, they are poised to find the net perhaps more than once. The same goes for Borac. Backing BTTS – Yes & Over 2.5 total goals at 13/8 (2.62) is worth a shot.
Borac will be buoyed by their home advantage in what is their first chance at Europe in a couple of years. They should start strong – a first-half lead i.e. Borac/Draw for HT/FT sits strong at 10/1 (11.00).
> Match result – Draw at 23/10 (3.30)| Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes & Over 2.5 total goals at 13/8 (2.62) | Likelihood: Likely
> Borac/Draw at 10/1 (11.00) | Likelihood: Possible