- Derry City are 1-1-3 in their last 5 games in all competitions
- PFC CSKA Sofia are 3-0-2 in their last 5 away games in all competitions
- Ioannis Pittas has 2 goals in 1 appearance in this year's UEFA Europa League Qualification
Tight match expected in Northern Ireland
PFC CSKA Sofia edged out Derry City 3-2 in UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 earlier today to give the Bulgarian side the edge in the fixture, but the Irish side will be keen to make amends when the sides meet in Northern Ireland on Thursday evening.
CSKA, who are 3/4 favourites to win at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, are 2-1-2 in their last 5 with a 1-0 away defeat to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in the Parva Liga - Championship Group 2026 followed by their European win over Derry.
Meanwhile, Derry arrive on the back of a two-game losing run which began with a 4-2 home loss to Waterford FC in the Premier Division 2026 and was followed by that 3-2 European defeat. They are 2-2-1 in their last 5 at home in all competitions, but have only conceded five goals in those five fixtures.
CSKA can nick it
Hristo Yanev has CSKA playing with more authority than Derry right now, taking the ball down and playing a 4-3-3 system where they will use their wide players to overload opponents and their high press to force turnovers.
Tiernan Lynch's Derry are much more compact and are a transition-based team, happy to sit deep, protect the middle and then burst into the spaces when the door opens. Those differences should keep the fixture tense, but CSKA's control of the ball and greater sharpness in attack should see them edge it again - although Derry's compact style means this could be a tough game rather than a stroll.
Backing both teams to score at 3/5 looks a good fit with the 3-2 scoreline from the first leg, while Over 2.5 goals at 31/50 should see another lively affair.
Pittas is CSKA’s danger man
Ioannis Pittas has two goals in one appearance in this season's UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 to make him CSKA's most dangerous player, while James Olayinka is the main outlet for Derry with one goal in one game in the competition.
Michael Duffy has four assists in Derry's last 5 in all competitions as he provides the final ball for his team's creative engine. Backing CSKA to win at 3/4 looks a solid play with Derry 16/5 and the draw 27/10 as the odds suggest the market leans away from the hosts.
