Derry City vs CSKA Sofia Prediction, Betting Tips, Lineups & Odds | 16 Jul 2026

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia Predictions

Main Match Prediction

Derry Asian Hcp +0.5 @ -127

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Derry +0.5 can deliver a return at odds of -127 when they clash with CSKA Sofia. We’ll side with the hosts on the Asian Handicap, knowing that a win or draw would be enough to land a payout with this bet.

Continue below for our full Derry vs CSKA Sofia betting breakdown, where you can read the complete analysis of our main match prediction, as well as our correct score pick, corners prediction and bet builder tips.

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia Preview

League of Ireland team Derry City host Bulgarian First League club CSKA Sofia in the second leg of this Europa League first qualifying round at Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, with kick-off set for 13:30 on Thursday 16 July.

CSKA Take One-Goal Advantage to Ireland

CSKA Sofia and Derry City met in the first leg on Thursday night, with CSKA securing a 3-2 home victory. CSKA enjoyed 63% possession and were 6-3 winners in term of shots on target. Ioannis Pittas (2) and Bruno Jordao netted for CSKA, with Liam Boyce and James Olayinka on the scoresheet for Derry.

League of Ireland		G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	GD	P
6	Derry City	29	7	13	9	41	40	1	41:40	34

First League		G	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	GD	P
4	CSKA Sofia	6	5	1	0	16	4	12	16:4	16

City have 2 wins, 4 losses and 4 draws, averaging 1.5 goals from 4.3 shots on goal and 12.4 attempts. The Northern Ireland side have averaged 55.8% possession and 4.7 corners per match, with their opponents getting 1.5 goals from 3.8 shots on goal, 11.4 attempts and 4.7 corners.

The five top scorers are Liam Boyce, Adam O'Reilly, Cameron Dummigan, James Clarke and Kevin Santos, with these players all scoring 2 goals. Michael Duffy is the leading assists maker with 5.

CSKA have 5 victories, 3 defeats and 2 draws, with an average of 13.1 attempts, 3.7 shots on goal and 1.2 goals. Hristo Yanev's team average 52.0% possession, 4.8 corners in their favour and 5.2 corners against, while 1.0 goals have been conceded from 2.6 shots on goal and 9.5 attempts.

The top scorers have been Ioannis Pittas and Mohamed Brahimi on 3, with Bruno Jordao getting 1. Pastor and James Eto'o have been the top assists providers with 2 in the last 10 games.

Confirmed Lineups

Derry City confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Brian Maher (GK), Conor Barr, Christy Grogan, Patrick McClean, Brandon Fleming, Barry Cotter, James Olayinka, Ellis Chapman, Adam O'Reilly, Michael Duffy, Kevin Santos.

CSKA Sofia confirmed lineup (4-4-2): Dimitar Evtimov (GK), Pastor, Teodor Ivanov, Facundo Rodriguez, Angelo Martino, Bruno Jordao, Petko Panayotov, Stefano Sensi, Isaac Solet, Ioannis Pittas, Leandro Godoy.

Main Match Prediction

Derry are a confident choice with a +0.5 goal start. The Candystripes should be able to win or draw this Europa League qualifying qualifier, with this Asian Handicap prediction looking like a value bet at -127.

Key stats supporting our main match prediction (domestic league and Europa League qualifying matches):

• The +0.5 line has been covered by Derry in 17 of their last 20 games at home.
• The +0.5 line has been covered by Derry in 8 of their last 10 games at home.
• The -0.5 line hasn’t been covered by CSKA in 11 of their last 18 games on the road.
• The -0.5 line hasn’t been covered by CSKA in 3 of their last 5 games.
• The -0.5 line hasn’t been covered by CSKA in 2 consecutive games on the road.

Our panel of football writers survey the latest injuries and suspensions. When combined with the form guide, this helps us secure the best odds. Our stats-led approach backed up by key Europa League qualifying data is helpful.

The top bookmakers are estimating that there is a 55.9% likelihood of this pick landing a return. After careful examination, our tipsters calculate this probability to be somewhere between 60-65%. This bet can therefore be backed with confidence.

If you are hunting down bigger odds for Derry to cover the line, then consider placing a Bet Builder. Add different picks to your wager until you’re happy with the overall price.

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Derry Asian Hcp +0.5 @ -127 Bet Now

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Disclosure: This preview contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. T&Cs apply. We only recommend licensed and regulated operators. See our Editorial Policy. Pick odds and lines reflect the price available at the time of publication (Jul 14, 19:57). Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Correct Score Prediction

Derry 1 - 0 CSKA

There are betting odds of +750 that Derry land a 1-0 victory. The correct score option is popular due to the potential return that can be achieved.

Corners Prediction

CSKA Over 4.5 Corners -130

The 4.5 corners line has been covered by CSKA Sofia in two straight games, while the past four Derry matches have seen over 4.5 corners conceded. We’re content to wager the -130 for CSKA to cover the Team Corners line as this looks appealing.

Europa League & League Games

League Games

Last 10 Total For Against

Last 10 at Home Total For Against

Last 10 Away Total For Against

Derry

Total

9.40 4.70 4.70

Home

9.70 5.90 3.80

Away

8.80 4.50 4.30

CSKA

Total

10.00 4.80 5.20

Home

9.70 5.70 4.00

Away

9.10 5.30 3.80

Latest Corner Odds

Total Corners

Over 9.5

-133

Under 9.5

-106

Derry Corners

Over 4.5

-133

Under 4.5

-106

CSKA Corners

Over 4.5

-127

Under 4.5

-112

Most Corners

1

-106

X

+575

2

-102

Pick odds and lines correct at publication. Live market odds are updated regularly and may differ. T&Cs apply. 18+ (or legal age) | Gamble Responsibly.

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia Odds

The odds and lines below are updated regularly and may differ from the prices shown in our picks, which are captured at the time of publication.

CSKA Sofia are regarded as having a 55% chance of winning this Europa League qualifying clash in the eyes of the bookies. It means that their current betting odds are -120. The market suggests that Derry City are least likely to win at +260.

The Half-Time Result market means that your bet will always be settled at the interval. CSKA are +138, while Derry are alternatively priced at +300 and the draw is +138.

You can find the shortest odds for Over 2.5 Goals, which means three goals or more being scored. An alternative angle is a Both Teams to Score bet and Yes has been chalked up at -149.

For those wagering on Europa League qualifying matches, it’s all about heading to the best football betting sites where hundreds of markets await you. Pre-match and In-Play options are plentiful.

Full-Time Result

1

+260

X

+300

2

-120

Half-Time Result

1

+300

X

+138

2

+138

Double Chance

1X

-115

12

-500

X2

-417

Draw No Bet

1

+170

2

-263

Asian Handicap

1 Hcp +0.5

-109

2 Hcp -0.5

-130

Total Goals

Under 2.5

-100

Over 2.5

-143

Both Teams to Score

Yes

-149

No

+105

Latest Europa League qualifying and domestic league stats. Full Time Result, Goals, Corners and Possession.

Derry City Stats

CSKA Sofia Stats

Full-Time Result

• 2 wins, 4 defeats and 4 draws in the previous 10 matches
• 4 wins, 2 defeats and 4 draws in the previous 10 home matches

Full-Time Result

• 5 wins, 3 defeats and 2 draws in the previous 10 matches
• 5 wins and 5 defeats in the previous 10 away matches

Goals

• An average of 1.50 goals scored and 1.50 conceded in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 1.70 goals scored and 1.20 conceded in the previous 10 home matches
• An average of 3.00 goals per game in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 2.90 goals per game in the previous 10 home matches
• BTTS Yes in 7 of the previous 10 matches
• BTTS Yes in 6 of the previous 10 home matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 6 of the previous 10 matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 5 of the previous 10 home matches

Goals

• An average of 1.20 goals scored and 1.00 conceded in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 1.10 goals scored and 1.00 conceded in the previous 10 away matches
• An average of 2.20 goals per game in the previous 10 matches
• An average of 2.10 goals per game in the previous 10 away matches
• BTTS Yes in 4 of the previous 10 matches
• BTTS Yes in 0 of the previous 10 away matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 3 of the previous 10 matches
• Over 2.5 Goals in 3 of the previous 10 away matches

Corners

• An average of 4.70 corners awarded and 4.70 corners conceded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 5.90 corners awarded and 3.80 corners against in the last 10 home matches
• An average of 9.40 corners awarded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 9.70 corners awarded in the last 10 home matches
• Had the most corners in 3 and least corners in 5 of the last 10 matches
• Had the most corners in 6 and least corners in 2 of the last 10 home matches

Corners

• An average of 4.80 corners awarded and 5.20 corners conceded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 5.30 corners awarded and 3.80 corners against in the last 10 away matches
• An average of 10.00 corners awarded in the last 10 matches
• An average of 9.10 corners awarded in the last 10 away matches
• Had the most corners in 4 and least corners in 4 of the last 10 matches
• Had the most corners in 7 and least corners in 3 of the last 10 away matches

Possession

• An average of 55.80% possession in the last 10 matches
• An average of 60.00% possession in the last 10 home matches
• Most possession in 7 of the last 10 matches
• Most possession in 8 of the last 10 home matches

Possession

• An average of 52.00% possession in the last 10 matches
• An average of 54.70% possession in the last 10 away matches
• Most possession in 6 of the last 10 matches
• Most possession in 7 of the last 10 away matches

Derry City vs CSKA Sofia Lineups & Team News

Know who’s in and who’s out for Derry vs CSKA before making your bets. We’ll share the most up-to-date confirmed Europa League qualifying lineups and injury information.

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