/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F08%2FICONSPORT_371058_0006-1-e1786481038409.jpg)
Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv travel to Vasil Levski National Stadium on Thursday for their Europa League third-round qualifying decider against Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia.
Trailing 3-0 after last week's first leg, the visitors face an uphill task and will need a fast start to have any chance of pulling off what appears an improbable comeback.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
CSKA Sofia vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv key stats
- CSKA are on a five-match winning streak.
- The hosts are also unbeaten in their last 11 matches since June 28.
- Eight of the visitors' last 10 affairs and four of the hosts' last five have produced at least three goals.
CSKA Sofia vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv preview: End of the road for Maccabi
CSKA Sofia vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv — Tale of the Tape
| CSKA Sofia | vs | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (Bulgarian Parva Liga) | Position | N/A |
| 10 | Points | N/A |
| 8 | Goals For | N/A |
| 3 | Goals Against | N/A |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | N/A |
| 3rd | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
CSKA Sofia have made an impressive start to the season, but after only scraping past Qarabag on penalties in the Europa League second qualifying round, there was some uncertainty surrounding their trip to Batumi to face Maccabi.
However, Hristo Yanev's side settled any early nerves with a ninth-minute opener from Max Ebong, before Leandro Godoy and Joel Zwarts scored to put their team firmly in control.
Since their superb display in Europe, the Army Men have beaten Septemvri Sofia 3-0, making it nine wins and two draws from their last 11 matches dating back to pre-season.
CSKA Sofia have not featured in the Europa League for six years and now stand just 270 minutes away from a return to Europe's secondary competition, the first 90 of which could prove tricky in its own way.
As seen in the past, teams with a healthy first-leg advantage can sometimes become overly cautious in the return fixture and end up capitulating from a position of comfort.
However, Thursday's hosts have rarely lacked goals at home recently, scoring eight times across their last four competitive matches.
Like CSKA, Maccabi Tel Aviv also headed into the first-leg encounter on a high off the back of three wins from as many outings this season by a combined score of 9-1 before falling to a 3-0 defeat, which, while not fatal, currently has their European hopes hanging by a thread.
Having previously endured the agony of surrendering a three-goal lead in their 2024 Conference League tie with Olympiacos, Kenny Miller’s side will hope to be on the right side of history this time.
The Yellows can draw inspiration from their most recent away match, where they emphatically beat Sheriff 5-0 in Moldova, their joint-biggest away win in Europe, matching a demolition of HJK Helsinki in October 2021.
Saied Abu Farchi led the way for Maccabi in their emphatic win in Tiraspol, but after an underwhelming display last time out, the 20-year-old will need to be at his best if his side are to have any chance of overturning last week’s deficit.
CSKA Sofia vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv guide & betting tips
| CSKA Sofia | vs | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
|---|---|---|
WWWWW |
Form | WWWL |
| 11 | Goals For | 9 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 4 |
WWDWW |
Europa League qualification | WWL |
Whispers predicts: CSKA Sofia 2-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
CSKA have been formidable at home and, despite not needing a win to advance, are tipped to secure victory at 13/10 (2.30).
Maccabi will expect to improve on their first-leg performance, so backing BTTS – Yes at 21/25 (1.84) appeals.
Only two of Maccabi's last 10 matches have yielded fewer than three goals, meaning you can hardly go wrong taking a punt on over 2.5 goals at 27/25 (2.08).
> Home to win at 13/10 (2.30) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 goals at 27/25 (2.08) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 21/25 (1.84) | Likelihood: Probable