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Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia welcome RB Salzburg to the Vasil Levski National Stadium on Thursday night, as the 2026-27 Europa League league phase gets underway, marking Levski's first appearance in a major European main draw since 2011.
Julio Velazquez has overseen just two defeats in 18 outings across all fronts this term (W12, D4), while Danny Rohl's Red Bulls have yet to taste defeat in a dozen competitive fixtures (W9, D3).
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.
Levski Sofia vs. Salzburg key stats
- Neither club scored more than once in their most recent fixture, Levski drawing 0-0 and Salzburg 1-1.
- The hosts have shut out their opponent in seven of their last eight European games as the home side.
- No away success for Salzburg in nine attempts in the Europa League proper.
- The last time both teams met, they produced under 2.5 goals in both legs.
Levski Sofia vs. Salzburg preview: Sofia's long wait for the big stage ends
Levski Sofia vs. Salzburg — Tale of the Tape
| Levski Sofia | vs | Salzburg |
|---|---|---|
| 1st in First League | Position | 3rd in Austrian Bundesliga |
| 25 | Points | 14 |
| 21 | Goals For | 15 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 4 |
| 4 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 4th |
Three qualifying rounds of Champions League football preceded a playoff meeting with AEK Athens, and although Levski Sofia frustrated the Greeks in a goalless first leg at home, a heavy loss in Athens sealed a 4-0 aggregate exit and rerouted them into this competition.
That consolation prize was that the club will now feature in a European main draw, a feat they last achieved in the 2010-11 campaign when they played in the Europa League group stage.
Their domestic numbers have also been impressive this season with eight victories from nine league fixtures, 21 scored and only four shipped, as Botev Vratsa became the first side to take anything off them in a goalless stalemate last time out.
Injury-wise, a muscle problem sidelines Akram Bouras, with Oliver Kamdem and Radoslav Kirilov both working back from knee trouble.
Salzburg also head into this clash in solid form, as 12 matches have passed this season without defeat, the most recent five producing four wins and a stalemate.
Unlike the hosts, the visitors reached here through the qualifying route of this competition, a path that featured a 1-0 home win and a wild 3-3 draw against Pafos, followed by a comfortable 4-0 aggregate dismissal of Mjallby.
Domestic life have also been good, with the Red Bulls sitting in third place with four wins and two draws from six, and a point adrift of league leaders LASK after being held by Ried.
Whether that form travels is the central question, as Rohl's own record in this competition offers little reassurance either, having managed just one win from six league-phase games during his time at Rangers last season.
Christian Fruchtl remains out with a foot complaint, joined on the sidelines by Johannes Moser, Justin Omoregie, Gaoussou Diakite and Soumaila Diabate.
Levski Sofia vs. Salzburg form guide & betting tips
| Levski Sofia | vs | Salzburg |
|---|---|---|
W
W
W
L
D
|
Form | W
W
W
W
D
|
| 8 | Goals For | 16 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 3 |
N/A |
Europa League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Levski Sofia 1-1 Salzburg
Backing against Levski on home soil has been a losing strategy in Europe, and with bookmakers already accounting for Salzburg's travel sickness, the draw at 3.55 (51/20) reads as the most sensible way in.
The goals market tells a similar story, as both teams struggled for a second goal in their last fixture, and we expected a low-scoring affair, making under 2.5 goals at 2.29 (129/100).
Salzburg's individual quality means an away win at 2.35 (27/20) is far from an unreasonable position, and they should shade possession and territory, but Levski's shape and discipline point toward a shared result, making 1-1 the standout scoreline.
> Under 2.5 goals at 2.29 (129/100) | Likelihood: Probable
> RB Salzburg win at 2.35 (27/20) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result — Draw at 3.55 (51/20) | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score — Levski Sofia 1-1 RB Salzburg at 7.00 (6/1) | Likelihood: Outsider