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Maccabi Tel Aviv vs CSKA Sofia prediction
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Maccabi, led by Kenny Miller, faced a setback in the Israeli Super Cup, losing 1-3 to Hapoel Beer Sheva. However, the Scottish manager's team bounced back in the early stages of the Europa League qualifiers, clinching victories against Moldovan side Sheriff on two occasions. The decisive win in Tiraspol (5-0) set the tone, followed by a pragmatic 1-0 victory in Batumi.
The standout player of the matchup was forward Saed Abu Farhi, who netted four goals against Sheriff. The team is steadily finding its rhythm ahead of the league's opening. Currently based in Batumi, Georgia, Maccabi's temporary home has seen them fully prepared and strategically poised, making them the clear favorites for their upcoming clashes.
Under the guidance of their coaching staff, including the seasoned Kenny Miller, the Israelis play an active game, characterized by ball control and rapid transitions. In contrast, CSKA typically relies on structure and counter-attacks. On neutral ground, Maccabi has the opportunity to impose their style of play, particularly if they secure an early lead, a realistic possibility given their recent success against Sheriff. Regular participants in European competitions at a high level, Tel Aviv is eager to advance to the main stage of the Europa League, a goal they've achieved for two consecutive years. While CSKA is equally motivated, their previous penalty battle may have drained their energy, and their lackluster performance against Karabakh raises concerns about their offensive prowess.
CSKA Sofia
So far, Christo Yanev's team remains unbeaten this season. The Bulgarians have played four matches in the Europa League (winning 3-2 and 2-1 against Ireland's Derry City and earning two goalless draws with Karabakh), along with a 1-1 draw with Slavia in the league before triumphing over Plovdiv's Botev 3-2. This past weekend, despite missing key players Gbamin and Sensi alongside Pittas, they managed to secure a 2-1 victory against Dunav Ruse.
Despite their impressive performance, it's clear that the 120-minute game at home against Karabakh, followed by a penalty shootout victory (5-4) over the Agdam team, took a toll on CSKA's resources. In the oppressive conditions of Batumi, they will find it challenging to withstand the offensive onslaught from a seasoned European competitor.
Prediction
In the stifling heat of Georgia, where Maccabi has already become accustomed to playing in empty stands, the Israeli side is poised to defeat Christo Yanev's Bulgarian squad. There is little doubt that the yellow-blue team expended much less energy progressing to the next qualifying round compared to the Bulgarians' strenuous defensive efforts against Karabakh.
With CSKA forced to play every 3-4 days as their Bulgarian league kicks off, their stamina and resilience are severely tested. I anticipate that Maccabi's freshness, their familiarity with Batumi's humid conditions, and their experience in European competitions will give them the upper hand in this first leg.
Having trounced Sheriff with a commanding scoreline, Maccabi demonstrated their offensive prowess (6 goals across two matches). They boast a higher-quality and more expensive squad, with creative attackers like Farhi and company leading the charge. Conversely, CSKA's failure to score in regulation time against Karabakh flags potential trouble against Maccabi's well-organized defense. This scenario sets the stage for a favorable outcome for the Israelis in this opening encounter of the series.
