Europa League
2026-08-06 - Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia
A Sports Betting Pick by Gladiator
Football: Europa League - Qualification - Semi-finals
Adjarabet Arena (Batumi), Georgia
Thursday, 6th August 2026 - Kick Off 19:00 CET
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi arrive as nominal hosts but without the comfort of home. Barred from staging European ties in Israel, Kenny Miller's side will again set up at the Adjarabet Arena in Batumi, the same neutral ground where they closed out the previous round. They come in flying, having dismantled Sheriff Tiraspol 6-0 on aggregate off the back of a stunning 5-0 win in Tiraspol.
Silverware is already on the board this term. Miller has lifted both the State Cup and the Israeli Super Cup since taking charge in May, the latter a 3-1 victory over Hapoel Beer Sheva. Historically the most decorated club in Israel, Maccabi slipped to third domestically last season and are determined to reassert themselves at home and in Europe.
The catch is a lengthy treatment room. Miller is without a sizeable cluster of players, with Nicolaescu, Gropper, Asante, Belic and others all sidelined for this first leg. That thins his options, though Dor Peretz and Sagiv Abu-Farhi still give the front line genuine bite. On neutral turf, some of the usual intimidation factor also fades.
CSKA Sofia
CSKA Sofia travel to Georgia in fine fettle, unbeaten so far in 2026/27 and carrying the belief of a side that has already stunned a fancied opponent. Hristo Yanev's men knocked out Qarabag in the previous round, holding them scoreless across two legs before winning 5-4 on penalties. Defensive steel has been their calling card.
The Bulgarians reached this stage the hard way. They saw off Derry City 5-3 on aggregate, then ground out that marathon shootout against Qarabag. They have started the league campaign well too, banking seven points from their first three matches, including a late 2-1 win over Dunav sealed by Facundo Rodriguez.
The neutral venue arguably suits them. Without a hostile home crowd to contend with, CSKA can trust their compact defensive shape and hit on the break, exactly the plan that frustrated Qarabag over two legs. A positive result here would leave the tie nicely poised for the return in Sofia, and they will fancy their chances of keeping this tight.
Betting Verdict
Two in-form teams meet in a first leg that has caution written all over it. Maccabi carry the greater attacking quality and are rightly favourites at around even money, but their injury list and the loss of a true home advantage narrow the gap. CSKA have the tools to frustrate them.
CSKA's defensive record is the standout factor. Two legs without conceding against Qarabag, allied to the natural wariness of an away side protecting a tie, points towards a low-scoring affair. Maccabi should see plenty of the ball, but breaking down this organised back line will take patience, and opening legs often deliver fewer goals than the market expects.
The Pick :
Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-0 CSKA Sofia
