- Recent form: CSKA Sofia are unbeaten in their last 3 games in all competitions (2 wins, 1 draw), conceding just 3 goals in the Parva Liga 2026/2027 so far.
- Form: Septemvri Sofia are winless in their last 3 Parva Liga 2026/2027 matches, scoring 0.67 goals per game and conceding 2.00 per game.
- Head-to-head: The split in the last 2 games between the two clubs is 1 each (Septemvri Sofia 2-0 in Parva Liga 2025/2026).
Style clash in Vasil Levski, Bulgaria
There's no love lost between the clubs of Sofia in Bulgaria, but two of the capital's biggest teams come into Sunday's clash at Vasil Levski in starkly contrasting form. PFC CSKA Sofia have collected 7 points from their opening 3 Parva Liga 2026/2027 games, while Septemvri Sofia find themselves languishing in 13th place on 1 point.
Tactical approaches:
Simao Freitas took charge of the team on 15 June 2026 and has quickly installed his survival-first, defensive system on his players. They are a team of no great individual stars and will be very compact and tough to break down on Sunday, their defensive unit is their star unit, with the team set to frustrate CSKA by sitting deep and exploding into transition.
Prediction:
Hristo Yanev has been in charge of CSKA Sofia since 24 September 2025 and his system is a flexible one, one that likes to control the game by playing a higher tempo, a more vertical style of soccer with pressure on the ball. This has brought some great results for the Red Lions but it's still a little messy in front of goal, which is why we're going with CSKA Sofia to win and both teams to score in this game.
Septemvri's goals conceded are a concern
CSKA have more than enough momentum to carry them through the win on Sunday, although 3 wins and 2 draws in their last 5 matches is no mean feat. Their 0-0 draw with Qarabag in the UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026, which they won on penalties, was a solid result, as was their 2-1 Parva Liga win over Dunav Ruse.
Septemvri Sofia's form has been a little up and down, with 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5. However, back-to-back defeats to Levski Sofia and Lokomotiv Plovdiv have left them on the back foot, and the 5 goals they have conceded in those 2 games is a major concern.
Joel Zwarts has scored 3 of CSKA's last 5 goals and is their main threat. His pace and energy could spell danger for the Septemvri Sofia defense, so he's our pick for an anytime goal on Sunday.
- CSKA Sofia are the heavy favorites for this game at 1.46, but the draw is available at 4.25 and Septemvri Sofia are big long shots at 6.54.
- However, the underdog does have a good record against the big Sofia clubs and could make this a sticky match if it stays close early on.
- CSKA have the quality to take the lead and keep it, so we're siding with them to win.
