CSKA Sofia vs Qarabag: Match Preview

CSKA Sofia sit seventh or eighth in the Bulgarian league after just one game and that was a goalless draw. They welcome Qarabag for the Europa League qualifying second leg with the tie still level at 0-0 from last week. Qarabag have looked sharp in the rounds before this, brushing aside Vestri twice by three goals each time.

Ioannis Pittas carries much of CSKA's attacking hope while Joël Zwarts, Mohamed Brahimi and James Eto'o will need to find space against a side that has kept things tight. On the other side Abdellah Zoubir, Leandro Andrade, Tural Bayramov and Musa Qurbanly have been the main threats for Qarabag in recent weeks. The visitors have shown they can score when the mood takes them.

That first leg ended with no goals and few clear chances. CSKA will want to use home advantage to change the pattern but their domestic form gives little clue yet. Qarabag meanwhile arrive with momentum from those comfortable wins earlier in the qualifying path. And the Bulgarian side have only one point from their opening league fixture so far this season.

Expect the game to stay measured early on. Both teams know a single mistake could decide who moves forward. Pittas might find pockets if CSKA push higher but Qarabag's defensive record in these ties suggests they won't gift much away. The return fixture rarely turns into a goal fest after a blank first meeting.

Qarabag hold the edge on recent results and squad quality. They should shade possession and create the better openings over the ninety minutes. CSKA need to be clinical with whatever they get or the tie could slip away again.