St Patricks vs CSKA Sofia Predictions

• Both teams have scored in five of St Pat’s last six home games
• CSKA have netted in five of their seven matches this season
• Sofia have won just one of their last nine fixtures in the Europa Conference League

Can St Pat’s progress?

St Pat’s have never progressed to the group stages of a European competition, but a penalty shoot-out victory over NS Mura in the last round and 1-0 success in the first leg of this tie means they are drawing ever closer.

Athletic have seen both teams score in five of their last six home games, so there are a few concerns over their defence, but they have also lost just three of their last 14 at Richmond Park.

The Dublin outfit have won just twice in 17 European outings since 2012 though, eight of which have seen both teams net.

Sofia up against it

CSKA Sofia are third in the Bulgarian top flight having picked up ten points from their opening four games, but their away form is a major worry.

Saša Ilić’s side have drawn both fixtures on the road this season, 0-0 against Makedonija in the second qualifying round, that following a 1-1 stalemate with Lokomotiv Sofia 1929 domestically.

They have in fact won just two of their last 16 on their travels and have never been victorious away from home in the Conference League, but they have scored in five of their last seven so should trouble the defence.

I predict that both teams will score in this game, but I think St Pat’s could squeeze through on aggregate by getting a 1-1 draw, which is my correct score prediction.