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Qarabag will be hoping to taking a first-leg lead in their Europa League second qualifying round tie with CSKA Sofia at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium on Thursday evening.
The Azerbaijani side got past Vestri 6-0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round, and should be favourites again to progress.
Meanwhile, Sofia won 5-3 on aggregate against Derry City to set up this tie, but they will be seen as underdogs 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.
Qarabag vs. CSKA Sofia key stats
- Qarabag have won three of their last four home games in all competitions (L1).
- Sofia are unbeaten in their previous four away matches across all competitions (W3, D1).
- Qarabag have won two of the previous three H2Hs, with the last meeting in 2023 (L1).
Qarabag vs. CSKA Sofia preview: Hosts to take first-leg lead?
Qarabag vs CSKA Sofia — Tale of the Tape
| Qarabag | vs | CSKA Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (Misli Premyer Liqasi) | Position | 9th (efbet League) |
| 69 | Points | 1 |
| 71 | Goals For | 0 |
| 27 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 14 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 4th |
Qarabag had previously won four domestic league titles in a row before being beaten by Sabah in 2025/26.
Having to settle for second place, Gurban Gurbanov's side must contest in the Europa League this season, having played in the Champions League last campaign.
They brushed aside Vestri in the first qualifying round with two 3-0 wins in each leg, and are bookies' favourites to progress again against Sofia.
Bahlul Mustafazada is the only injury absentee in the Qarabag squad, so they should be able to field a strong XI to get the job done in the home leg.
Sofia will be no pushovers though having scored five goals past Derry City over the two legs of the first qualifying round.
They finished fourth in the 2025/26 efbet League, and their new domestic season is already underway, as they opened with a 0-0 draw away to Slavia Sofia.
That stalemate ended a four-game winning streak in all competitions for Hristo Yanev's side, and so they come into the first leg in good form.
Sofia also have no fresh concerns in their squad at the time of writing, so they will be expected to field their strongest possible XI.
Qarabag vs. CSKA Sofia form guide & betting tips
| Qarabag | vs | CSKA Sofia |
|---|---|---|
WLLWW |
Form | WWWWD |
| 12 | Goals For | 11 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
WW |
Europa League | WW |
Whispers predicts: Qarabag 3-1 CSKA Sofia
Qarabag are favourites for victory, and given home advantage and the fact they have won three of their previous four matches on home soil, we are backing Qarabag to win at 13/20 (1.65).
In terms of some more ambitious bets, BTTS – Yes at 21/20 (2.05) appeals with both teams having scored 23 goals between them across their last five games.
Over 3.5 goals at 27/10 (3.70) is our final pick, with Qarabag's last five games averaging 3.8 goals in total per match.
Overall, we are predicting a 3-1 Qarabag victory, which is available at 14/1 (15.00).
> Qarabag to win at 13/20 (1.65) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 21/20 (2.05) | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 3.5 goals at 27/10 (3.70) | Likelihood: Possible