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After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the tie is finely poised between CSKA Sofia and Qarabag as they prepare to meet for the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying round clash at the Stadion Vasil Levski on Thursday night.
Sofia are competing in Europe for the first time since 2023/24, where they were knocked out in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League 6-0 on aggregate by Sepsi OSK.
Meanwhile, Qarabag reached the Champions League group phase for the first time since 2017/18 last season, but have had to settle for Europe's second-tier competition this time around.
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.
CSKA Sofia vs. Qarabag key stats
- Sofia are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions (W5, D2).
- Qarabag are unbeaten in the Europa League so far (W2, D1).
- Qarabag are also unbeaten in the last three H2Hs (W2, D1).
CSKA Sofia vs. Qarabag preview: Extra-time needed?
CSKA Sofia vs Qarabag — Tale of the Tape
| CSKA Sofia | vs | Qarabag |
|---|---|---|
| 5th (efbet League) | Position | 2nd (Misli Premyer Liqasi) |
| 4 | Points | 69 |
| 3 | Goals For | 71 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 27 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 14 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 3rd |
Sofia's domestic season is already underway, where they sit fifth in the efbet League with four points after two games.
Their latest outing was a 3-2 win at home to Botev Plovdiv, and they will be aiming to build on their strong form in front of their fans here having won their last two competitive matches on home soil.
Sofia are competing in European football for the first time in three seasons, having finished fourth in the efbet League last campaign.
Hristo Yanev will be aiming to build on that, and with no fresh injury concerns in their squad, they will likely field a similar XI to the one that beat Botev Plovdiv.
Gurban Gurbanov also has no new concerns in his squad, which is more fresh having not played since the first leg.
Qarabag were disappointedly held to a stalemate at home though, and so will need to try and get a positive result in Bulgaria.
Having played in the Champions League last term, the Azerbaijani side had to settle for Europa League football after finishing second in the Misli Premyer Liqasi, ending a run of four straight domestic league titles.
They will be hoping to eventually play in the league phase of the competition like in 2024/25, but Sofia have already proved difficult opponents for them.
CSKA Sofia vs. Qarabag form guide & betting tips
| CSKA Sofia | vs | Qarabag |
|---|---|---|
WWDDW |
Form | LLWWD |
| 8 | Goals For | 8 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 7 |
WWD |
Europa League | WWD |
Whispers predicts: CSKA Sofia 1-1 Qarabag (Qarabag to qualify)
Sofia are slight 168/100 (2.68) favourites to win on home soil, and 10/11 (1.91) favourites to qualify.
However, given Qarabag's more recent experience in Europe and the quality of their squad, we think Qarabag to qualify at 1/1 (2.00) holds value.
The most recent H2Hs have produced very few goals and the first leg was a 0-0 draw, so Under 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73) also appeals.
Overall, we are predicting a Correct score – 1-1 at 11/2 (6.50) after normal time, which would force extra-time and potentially penalties.
> Under 2.5 goals at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Probable
> Qarabag to qualify at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 1-1 at 11/2 (6.50) | Likelihood: Outsider