OFI - CSKA Sofia prediction: team news, lineups, expert analysis
In the Europa League qualification final on August 20, 2026, the first leg will take place between OFI and CSKA Sofia. Both sides believe in victory.
OFI - CSKA Sofia team news and expert analysis
The club from Heraklion was playing in the third division just about a decade ago. But in the spring, they claimed only the second trophy in their history, the Greek Cup (despite finishing just seventh in the league). They added to that the Super Cup, beating AEK on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The team from Sofia also won the national cup and simultaneously climbed to fourth in the domestic league. Now, having started with a goalless derby draw against Slavia, they went on to win four times – only Ludogorets and Levski had a better start.
This is just the beginning of European competition for the Cretan side. The Bulgarians have already eliminated three opponents in qualification, each time in a different manner. They beat Derry City twice, 3-2 at home and 2-1 away. Against Qarabag, there were two goalless draws, with success on penalties. Maccabi Tel Aviv was crushed 3-0 in a nominal away match, but then nearly made a comeback – CSKA lost 1-3 at home.
Previous matches: OFI - CSKA Sofia
This will be the first time such visitors come to the popular island.
The tie is seen as balanced. But the visitors are playing at full strength and quite well – we back them with a "0" handicap (odds – 1.70).
OFI - CSKA Sofia: key statistics and trends
- OFI have lost three of their last four matches
- The club scores an average of 1.34 goals and concedes 1.72 goals per match
- CSKA Sofia have lost only one of six qualification matches
- On average, CSKA Sofia score 2.6 goals and concede 0.6 goals per match
- 40% of CSKA Sofia’s matches end with goals from both teams and the average total goals per match is 3.2
OFI - CSKA Sofia: probable starting lineups
OFI play in a 1-3-4-2-1 formation (probable lineup): Katsikas - Krizmanic, Punguras, Kostoulas - Athanasiou, Apostolakis, Androutsos, Shengelia - Neira, Fountas - Salcedo
CSKA Sofia use a 1-3-5-2 formation (probable lineup): Lapoukhov - Rodriguez, Gbamin, Ivanov - Yordanov, Sensi, Jordao, Ebong, Pastor - Pittas, Godoy
Follow the Europa League qualification standings and check your team’s form before placing your next bet.
