Derry City vs CSKA Sofia prediction, preview & betting tips – 16/07/2026

Derry City will take on CSKA Sofia on Thursday, 16 July, in the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round, with the tie in the balance after last week's first leg.

The Bulgarian side holds a 3-2 aggregate advantage, but Derry City will believe they can turn things around on Thursday in front of their home supporters.

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.

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia key stats

• Derry City have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions.
• CSKA Sofia have won four of their last five matches in all competitions.
• CSKA Sofia have scored three or more goals in each of their last three matches.

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia preview: Visitors to finish the job

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia — Tale of the Tape

Derry City	vs	CSKA Sofia
6th (League of Ireland Premier Division)	Position	4th (2025-26 Bulgarian Parva Liga)
29	Points	63
32	Goals For	71
31	Goals Against	47
6	Clean Sheets	14
4th	Home / Away Rank	7th

Derry City outperformed expectations last week in Bulgaria by pushing CSKA Sofia all the way in a five-goal thriller. James Olayinka's late strike to reduce the deficit to 3-2 could turn out to be a huge goal, as it has given them a fighting chance ahead of Thursday.

What will encourage their fans further is the club's recent home record in European qualifiers. The Irish side has won each of their last four home matches in Europe, and if they can continue that trend here, they will guarantee extra time, at the very least.

Manager Tiernan Lynch will not be underestimating CSKA Sofia, though, particularly as they registered 17 shots to Derry's six last week. A counter-attacking approach will most likely be deployed again, but keeping out a side that has scored nien goals in their last three games will be extremely difficult.

Adam O'Reilly and Brandon Fleming will both return on Thursday night, in a boost to their chances.

As for CSKA Sofia, they will be expecting nothing less than a victory and safe passage through to the second round of Europa League qualifying. After all, they are a club with deep-rooted European heritage, having played more than 260 matches in UEFA competitions.

They were expected to win more comfortably last week, but their ropey performance can perhaps be put down to the fact that it was their first competitive match since the conclusion of the 2025/26 Bulgarian football season.

History is firmly on their side ahead of the second leg, as they have only ever lost once to Northern Irish opposition in 11 previous matches – an extra-time defeat to Glentoran in 1981.

Manager Hristo Yanev is unlikely to make any changes to the team that started the match last week, and he will be keen to get the tie killed early so he can give more minutes to other members of the squad as they prepare for their new domestic season.

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia form guide & betting tips

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia — Last 5 Form Guide

<LW

Derry City	vs	CSKA Sofia
L D W L W	Form	W L W W W
8	Goals For	11
9	Goals Against	9
Europa League qualifying

Whispers predicts: Derry City 1-2 CSKA Sofia

CSKA Sofia have far more quality than Derry City and should get this match won relatively comfortably. Derry City's impressive home European form should see them get on the scoresheet.

Goals have gone in at both ends in six of Derry City's last seven matches in all competitions, making BTTS a solid bet on Tuesday.

Ioannis Pittas scored twice in the first leg, and he will fancy his chances of getting another on Thursday night.

📈 Derry City vs CSKA Sofia — Whispers' Tips

> CSKA Sofia to win | Likelihood: Probable

> BTTS | Likelihood: Probable

> Ioannis Pittas to score anytime | Likelihood: Probable

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