- PFC CSKA Sofia won the away leg 3-2 today.
- Derry City are in poor form having lost two in a row.
- CSKA Sofia are 3-0-2 in their last 5 away from home in all competitions.
Stalemate likely at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Derry City lost a tense Europa League qualifier 3-2 against PFC CSKA Sofia on Thursday and they could be in for another tough evening in the return fixture in Northern Ireland on Thursday.
Sofia have a lot of good momentum to carry over to the home of the Candystripes after picking up the three points in the away fixture, and a draw that keeps them in the game is likely to be the best Derry can hope for at this point.
The two teams are very different in terms of style, with CSKA playing a front-foot game with possession and width and trying to pin teams back, while Derry are much more compact and transition-based.
Tiernan Lynch's men are very well drilled in their 4-2-3-1 system, so it will be tough for CSKA to break them down, but there should be more than enough goalmouth action to keep the tie close.
Derry are 2-2-1 in their last 5 at home in all competitions but have only conceded 5 in their 5 home games, while CSKA are 3-0-2 away from home in their last 5 in all comps.
It is the visitors who are fancied to nick it again, however, because they are simply playing with a bit more control and have the sharper attacking output.
Ioannis Pittas is CSKA's danger man, hitting two goals in one game in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 and two of CSKA's five goals in their last 5.
Michael Duffy is the creative engine of Derry's side and has been the main source of assists in their run of 1-1-3 across all comps over the last 5, supplying four. James Olayinka is their main goal threat and has scored one goal in one appearance in this competition so far.
The market is 1.75 for CSKA to win, while the hosts are 4.2 and the draw is 3.7, so we are definitely leaning away from the hosts, who appear a bit short on value.
Both teams to score, which landed in the 3-2 scoreline on Thursday, seems a solid bet at 1.6, while Over 2.5 goals at 1.62 looks good for another lively clash.
