- Team form: CSKA 1948 are unbeaten in five across all current competitions (W3, D2)
- Away form: Cherno More Varna have failed to win either of their two away games in Parva Liga 2026/2027 (D1, L1)
- Home form: The home team have won two from two at home in Parva Liga 2026/2027, averaging 2.00 goals per-game and conceding just 1.00
Bulgaria’s new boys have a taste for the top
League positions and momentum
With seven points from their opening three Parva Liga 2026/2027 matches, FC CSKA 1948 sit third in the Bulgarian top-flight while PFC Cherno More Varna have only one point on the board after three games in 11th. CSKA 1948 arrive in much better form for Friday's clash and the home crowd will be confident of their team taking the spoils at Vitosha Bistritsa.
Aleksandrov's impact
Sasho Aleksandrov's men are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, a sequence which includes a 2-1 win over Arda Kardzhali in the league and a penalty shootout victory after a 0-0 draw with FC Spartak Trnava in UEFA Conference League qualification. Aleksandrov took the reigns on 7 May 2026, so the quick results are a good sign that his setup is gelling well.
Styles and tactics
The clash of styles in this one could make for an intriguing battle as CSKA 1948 typically operate in either a compact 4-1-4-1 or a narrow 4-2-3-1 system which is built to be solid and to create through fast transitions. They have the pace and creativity in wide areas to come out on top, but Ilian Iliev's Cherno More are a well-drilled unit that rarely get caught out.
Cherno More won’t go down without a fight
Managerial continuity and tactics
The visitors have been in the hands of Iliev since 2017, so there's a long-term tactical continuity that should ensure they don't get caught out by the hosts. A 4-2-3-1 formation is typical with a solid mid-block, plenty of patience in the build-up and low-risk progression through the full-backs.
Current form
Cherno More are in poor form, however, with four defeats and one draw from their last five in all competitions. They're looking to end their two-game losing streak after drawing 1-1 in their Parva Liga away fixture to Botev Vratsa before losses to Spartak Varna and Botev Plovdiv.
The H2H and the hosts’ form point to a home win
The head-to-head record is tied at one win apiece in the last two meetings, but CSKA 1948 failed to beat Cherno More in either of the last two home H2H meetings. However, CSKA 1948 were emphatic 4-0 winners in Varna just three months ago and are in better form going into this.
- The odds are heavily skewed towards CSKA 1948 at 1.79, with the draw at 3.45 and Cherno More at 4.22.
- CSKA 1948 have been a fortress at home this season and with the visitors winless in two on their travels, there's more value in the win and under 3.5 goals.
- Mamadou Diallo has been the spark for CSKA 1948 so far this season, scoring two of their five goals in their last five games and he looks a decent choice in the anytime goalscorer market.
