- CSKA Sofia are unbeaten at home this season (1 win from 1 game), but have already conceded twice in that single match.
- Qarabag are in the better form (4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5 games).
Qarabag are no easy beats
Qarabag are the bookies' choice at 63/50 for Thursday's UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 tie against PFC CSKA Sofia, but we are taking the underdog at 207/100 and the draw at 23/10 in the match betting. The game looks like it will be close and cagey, based on the first meeting, which finished 0-0 at Qarabag's ground, and the information below.
Qurban Qurbanov has been in charge of Qarabag since 1 July 2008 and has turned them into a long-term project, with the side as well drilled as any in Europe. They are a well-balanced unit that can play a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, but usually build their best moves from the width, with a No.10, while fast transitions are a key part of the gameplan. Zakaria Sawo is Qarabag's sharpest edge, with two goals in three UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 games so far.
Hristo Yanev has made CSKA Sofia a more flexible unit since taking over on 24 September 2025, with the Eagles able to switch from a back-three to a back-four in the same game, depending on the opponent. CSKA have been known to switch between a 3-5-2, 3-4-2-1 and 4-2-3-1 recently, with their wide men doing the bulk of the work in attacking areas. Ioannis Pittas is the team's best player, with three goals in as many UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 matches and three of the last four goals for CSKA Sofia.
Side with the hosts
CSKA's all-competitions record is solid, but not spectacular, with five wins, three draws and two defeats in their last 10. Qarabag are in a good groove, but they have only won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5, so we are siding with the underdog here.
A close and solid first-leg seems likely, with the under and BTTS-No both coming in at 7/10 and 87/100 respectively, so we are going with both.
Qarabag are unbeaten away in their last three, winning the last three, and CSKA Sofia are also solid at home, so we are looking at a narrow Qarabag edge or another stalemate in what will feel like a chess match between the two sides.
