CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv - Live Stream
View the live stream and TV coverage details and live score for the 2026/2027 UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round Match - CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv.
CSKA Sofia will attempt to complete the job when they host Maccabi Tel Aviv in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying-round tie on Thursday, August 13. Max Ebong opened the scoring after nine minutes before Leandro Godoy and Joel Zwarts completed an impressive 3-0 first-leg victory for the Bulgarian Cup holders in neutral Batumi. The return match kicks off at 8:00 p.m. Central European time (CEST), 9:00 p.m. local time in Bulgaria and 2:00 p.m. US Eastern time (EDT) at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia.
How to Watch CSKA Sofia vs Maccabi Tel Aviv - UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round Match
| Country / Region | Channel / Package / Streaming |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | |
| Israel | |
| Worldwide |
Match background
CSKA produced a clinical performance in Georgia to establish a commanding three-goal advantage. Ebong struck first before Godoy and Zwarts found the net, leaving Hristo Yanev’s team firmly on course for the playoff round.
The Sofia club entered the Europa League after winning the Bulgarian Cup. They eliminated Derry City 5-3 on aggregate in the opening qualifying round before overcoming Qarabağ on penalties following two goalless matches.
CSKA have also begun their domestic campaign strongly, collecting 10 points from a possible 12. They followed the victory over Maccabi with another 3-0 win against Septemvri Sofia and remain unbeaten in competitive action this season.
Maccabi’s designated home leg was staged at Batumi’s Adjarabet Arena because UEFA restrictions prevent the Israeli club from hosting European matches in Israel. Kenny Miller’s side had previously eliminated Sheriff Tiraspol 6-0 on aggregate but now require an extraordinary turnaround in Sofia.
The aggregate winner will face OFI Crete in the Europa League playoff round. The defeated club will transfer to the Conference League playoffs.
Team news
CSKA coach Hristo Yanev has no major new injury problems and is expected to retain the core of the team that won the opening leg.
Captain Bruno Jordão should continue in midfield alongside first-leg scorer Max Ebong and former Inter Milan midfielder Stefano Sensi. Former Everton player Jean-Philippe Gbamin is expected to operate in the three-man defence.
Angelo Martino is doubtful after limping out of Sunday’s domestic victory. Andrey Yordanov is expected to replace him on the left if Martino fails to recover.
Yanev must also choose between Ioannis Pittas, Leandro Godoy and Joel Zwarts in attack. Zwarts has scored in two of his last three appearances, while Godoy has contributed directly to three goals across his last two games.
Maccabi Tel Aviv remain without Moldova international Ion Nicolaescu, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Sayed Abu Farchi is therefore expected to continue in the forward line. The youngster has scored four times in four competitive appearances this season and should be joined by captain Dor Peretz, who has registered 17 goals in 90 UEFA club appearances.
Kervin Andrade Varela is likely to complete Maccabi’s front three, with Issouf Sissokho anchoring the midfield.
Predicted lineups
- CSKA Sofia (3-5-2): Lapoukhov; Ivanov, Gbamin, Rodríguez; Pastor, Ebong, Jordão, Sensi, Yordanov; Pittas, Godoy.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-3-3): Melika; Asante, Shlomo, Camara, Revivo; Noy, Sissokho, Shahar; Varela, Peretz, Abu Farchi.
Official starting lineups are normally announced approximately one hour before kickoff.