CSKA Sofia vs FC Copenhagen Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This is one of the toughest games to call this Thursday in the UEFA Europa League. Copenhagen are expected to go through over the two legs but they could face a real examination in the Bulgarian capital as CSKA Sofia look to make home advantage count. The winners are most likely to face Serie A side Atalanta in the next round so there are plenty of hurdles to overcome before either team gets to taste group stage action.

Both sides come into the game in great form. CSKA have won their last 5 matches in all competitions and are topping the Bulgarian League as the only remaining side with a 100% record after three games. They’ve also made it through two rounds in this competition already, seeing off Riga on penalties after a tight 1-1 aggregate draw before a much easier win against Admira in the last round.

Copenhagen are also bidding for a sixth straight win in all competitions here. They lie second in the Danish top flight and will fancy they can make a much better title challenge this term, having been surprisingly off the pace in 2017-18. Their European campaign has also started well and has taken a similar pattern to that of CSKA. They were forced to work hard by KuPS, only winning 2-1 on aggregate in the 1st Qualifying Round but they hammered Stjarnan 7-0 over two legs in the last round.

This one will be much tighter and represents both teams’ toughest test to date. There could be a fair amount of trying to figure each other out, particularly in the 1st Half and it’s the kind of game where defence could come out on top. Copenhagen have been very good defensively of late, keeping a clean sheet in all of their last five matches. Nearly 500 minutes have passed since they last conceded and that’s a measure of the task CSKA will face in trying to break them down.

The Bulgarians are quite a tough nut to crack too though. CSKA have only conceded 2 goals in their 7 competitive matches so far this term. While they will be hungry for a 1st Leg advantage, they will know it’s also key that they keep things tight and avoid conceding an away goal which could make things very tricky in Denmark next week.

Overall, this has the makings of a typically cagey 1st Leg match and backing Under 2.5 Goals may be the smart move.