CSKA Sofia vs OFI Prediction: Key Matchups and Betting Tips

CSKA Sofia welcome OFI to National Stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia on 27 August 2026 for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League Play-offs tie. After a heavy 3-0 defeat in Heraklion a week earlier, the Bulgarian side face a steep uphill battle to overturn the deficit in front of their own fans.

For CSKA Sofia, this is about survival in European competition. Their broader Europa League statistics show a competitive side, but the first-leg collapse has left them needing at least three goals without reply just to force extra time. OFI, meanwhile, arrive in Bulgaria with one foot in the group stage after a perfect start to their continental campaign, combining a 3-0 win with a clean sheet and a confident attacking display.

With Europa League group-stage revenue and prestige on the line, this second leg should be played at high intensity. CSKA Sofia vs OFI predictions will focus on whether the hosts can break down a defence that has yet to concede in Europe this season, and whether OFI can manage the tie without inviting unnecessary pressure.

CSKA Sofia vs OFI Key Stats

• CSKA Sofia have played 7 Europa League matches this campaign, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 2, with 10 goals scored and 9 conceded.
• The only previous meeting between these sides came on 20 August 2026, when OFI beat CSKA Sofia 3-0 at Pagritio in the Europa League Play-offs.
• From their Europa League statistics, CSKA Sofia have kept 3 clean sheets in 7 matches, while OFI have 1 clean sheet from their single match so far.

CSKA Sofia vs OFI — Tale of the Tape

• Position: Not available vs Not available
• Points: Not available vs Not available
• Goals For: 10 (CSKA Sofia, 7 matches) vs 3 (OFI, 1 match)
• Goals Against: 9 (CSKA Sofia) vs 0 (OFI)
• Clean Sheets: 3 (CSKA Sofia, tournament statistics) vs 1 (OFI, tournament statistics)

There is no group-stage standings table yet for these sides in the Europa League, but the broader tournament statistics offer a clear snapshot. Across 7 matches, CSKA Sofia average 1.4 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per game, suggesting a generally balanced side that can both score and be opened up. Their record of 4 wins in those 7 fixtures underlines that they are no pushovers at this level.

OFI’s sample size is much smaller, but emphatic: 3 goals scored and none conceded in their only Europa League outing, the 3-0 home win over CSKA Sofia. They average 3.0 goals for and 0.0 against per match so far in this campaign. While that figure will naturally regress as more games are played, it underlines how dominant they were in the first leg and why they come into the second leg with a strong platform to progress.

CSKA Sofia vs OFI Key Matchups

Bruno Jordão vs Aitor Cantalapiedra (creative influence battle)

CSKA Sofia’s standout attacking contributor in the Europa League so far is midfielder Bruno Jordão. He has made 2 appearances and scored 1 goal, also appearing in the top assists list (albeit without an assist yet). His ability to arrive from midfield and finish chances is crucial if CSKA are to mount a comeback, especially with the hosts needing multiple goals.

On the OFI side, there is no dedicated top scorers list provided, but Aitor Cantalapiedra stands out in the squad as a creative midfielder with experience at a high level. While we do not have direct goal or assist numbers for him in this campaign, his role as an attacking midfielder suggests he will be central to linking play and exploiting spaces left by an aggressive CSKA Sofia side chasing the game. The duel between Jordão’s forward runs and Cantalapiedra’s ability to control tempo and launch counters could shape the overall rhythm of the tie.

Pastor vs OFI’s attacking line

Defender Pastor has been influential for CSKA Sofia in the Europa League, registering 1 assist in 2 appearances. As a defender who contributes going forward, he offers width and delivery from the back line, something CSKA will lean on heavily as they push numbers forward. His clean disciplinary record so far (no yellow or red cards) also suggests a composed presence under pressure.

Against him is an OFI attack that scored 3 times in the first leg and has averaged 3.0 goals per Europa League match this season. Even without specific individual scoring stats, the team’s ability to score in different phases of the game — with goals in the 16–30, 46–60 and 76–90 minute windows — indicates variety in their threat. Pastor’s dual responsibility of helping build attacks and containing OFI’s counters will be pivotal; if he is forced too high, OFI can exploit the space behind him.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This tie has very little historical baggage, with only one recent competitive meeting between the clubs, but that first-leg result looms large over the second leg narrative.

• 20 August 2026: OFI 3-0 CSKA Sofia (UEFA Europa League)

CSKA Sofia vs OFI Prediction

Stats suggest a complex picture. On one hand, CSKA Sofia have a solid Europa League record this campaign, with 4 wins from 7 matches and 3 clean sheets. On the other, they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 in Heraklion and now face an OFI side that has yet to concede in the competition and showed clinical finishing in the first leg.

The prediction model gives CSKA Sofia only a 10% chance of winning this match, with both the home win and away win at 10% and 45% respectively, and a 45% probability of a draw. That implies the market and analytical view see OFI as at least as likely to get a result as CSKA, even away from home, and a stalemate is considered just as probable as an away victory. Given OFI’s 3-0 cushion, they can afford to sit compact, rely on their strong defensive metrics (0.0 goals conceded per game so far), and look to strike on the break.

CSKA Sofia’s own goal and concession patterns — 10 scored and 9 conceded in 7 matches — point towards a team that tends to be involved in relatively tight, low-to-mid scoring contests. With OFI incentivised to keep things controlled and CSKA needing to attack but wary of conceding an away goal that would kill the tie, this second leg could be cagey for long spells.

Predicted Score: CSKA Sofia 1-1 OFI

CSKA Sofia Recent Form

Across their Europa League campaign, CSKA Sofia have shown mixed but generally positive recent form, with more wins than losses and a goal difference close to level. They have scored in most of their matches (failing to score only twice in 7 games) and kept 3 clean sheets, but the heavy 3-0 defeat to OFI in the first leg exposed vulnerabilities, especially late in games where a significant share of goals conceded has come in the final quarter of an hour.

OFI Recent Form

OFI’s recent Europa League form is perfect in its limited sample: one match, one 3-0 win, and a clean sheet. Their attacking output of 3.0 goals per game and defensive record of 0.0 goals conceded highlight a side that maximised its opportunity in the first leg. Domestically and historically we do not have broader form data here, but within this competition they could not have started better.

CSKA Sofia Possible Starting Lineup

GK: D. Evtimov; Defenders: Pastor, Adrián Lapeña, Á. Martino, A. Yordanov; Midfielders: Bruno Jordão, M. Ebong, S. Sensi, M. Brahimi; Forwards: S. Godoy, I. Pittas.

CSKA Sofia have several options in defence and midfield, with Pastor and Adrián Lapeña likely to anchor the back line and Bruno Jordão providing thrust from midfield. S. Sensi brings experience and control in the centre, while attackers such as S. Godoy and I. Pittas give them penalty-box presence. The team has used a variety of formations in the Europa League — including 4-3-3, 4-3-1-2 and 3-5-2 — but with a deficit to overturn, a more attacking 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 is probable to get more creative players on the pitch.

OFI Possible Starting Lineup

GK: N. Christogeorgos; Defenders: L. Dickmann, Borja González, N. Marinakis, D. Nikolaou; Midfielders: A. Bouchalakis, G. Kanellópoulos, T. Androutsos, Aitor Cantalapiedra; Forwards: T. Fountas, A. Leya.

OFI lined up in a 3-4-3 in their only Europa League match so far, but they have the personnel to switch between a back three and a back four depending on game state. Experienced defenders like Borja González and N. Marinakis, combined with midfielders such as A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos, give them a solid spine. In attack, T. Fountas and A. Leya offer pace and movement to exploit transitions, which will be vital as CSKA push forward. With a 3-0 advantage, OFI are likely to prioritise defensive structure and counter-attacking opportunities.

CSKA Sofia Team News

No significant absences reported.

OFI Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

CSKA Sofia:

• None reported.

OFI:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: CSKA Sofia vs OFI

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back CSKA Sofia to win in 90 minutes. The odds on the home win range from 1.58 to 1.65 across bookmakers, implying an approximate probability between about 60.6% (1 ÷ 1.65 × 100) and 63.3% (1 ÷ 1.58 × 100). Despite the prediction model giving OFI a 45% chance and CSKA only 10%, the market clearly favours the hosts to win the single match, likely reflecting home advantage and the expectation that CSKA will react strongly after the 3-0 first-leg defeat. This bet focuses on the match result, not qualification.
• Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. CSKA Sofia average 1.4 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per Europa League match (10 for, 9 against in 7 games), while OFI’s only match finished 3-0. That suggests goals are possible but not guaranteed to be in a high-scoring shootout, especially with OFI likely to adopt a conservative approach. While specific under/over odds are not listed, this market aligns with the hosts’ generally moderate scoring profile and OFI’s strong defensive start.
• Value Tip: Draw at attractive odds. The draw is priced between 3.82 and 4.00, implying a probability range of roughly 26.2% (1 ÷ 3.82 × 100) to 26.0% (1 ÷ 3.85 × 100) up to 25.0% (1 ÷ 4.00 × 100). The prediction model, however, assigns a 45% chance to the draw, indicating potential value if you trust the analytical view over the market. With OFI protecting a big lead and CSKA pushing but vulnerable to counters, a 1-1 or low-scoring stalemate is a plausible outcome at a price that may be longer than it should be.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.