Football Prediction: Derry City vs CSKA Sofia
Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure on Thursday evening, CSKA Sofia will travel to Ireland when they meet Derry City for their second-leg showdown.
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Football Prediction: Derry City vs CSKA Sofia
Derry City
Starting with the hosts, while Derry City might have produced a spirited performance on foreign soil last week, the Candystripes missed out on the chance to claim a first-leg advantage. Eventually falling to a frantic 3-2 loss in Sofia, Tiernan Lynch’s side have a major job on their hands when their return to Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening. Getting July underway with a shock 4-2 defeat at home against Waterford, Derry have shown some extended inconsistencies. Including a 2-1 loss at the hands of Galway on June 19th, Tuesday’s hosts have registered just a sole win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Likewise, shipping seven goals in their back-to-back defeats over the past fortnight, Lynch’s camp have mustered just a single clean sheet since the end of May.
Derry City Team News
Missing out in Sofia last week and still dealing with a recent injury issue, Derry City are once again expected to be without the services of new recruit Darragh Markey. However, making a cameo appearance off the bench in Bulgaria, ex-Oldham defender Jamie Stott could get some more minutes under his belt.
Bagging a first-leg strike on foreign soil last week, veteran striker Liam Boyce will spearhead Derry’s charge in the final third. One-time Arsenal youngster James Olayinka will start in the middle of the park.
CSKA Sofia
As for the visitors, eventually dragging themselves to a crucial first-leg advantage last week, CSKA Sofia will be desperate to extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure here. Signing off their summer preparations with a 3-0 victory against domestic foes Marek earlier in the month, the Bulgarian giants should be excited by their recent clinical performances in the final third. Dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine First Division title in the upcoming season, CSKA travel to Northern Ireland on Thursday evening pencilled in as a standout contender. Including that action-packed 3-2 win when they welcomed Derry to the Vasil Levski National Stadium last week, Hristo Yanev’s side are unbeaten in each of their three historic battles against Thursday’s opponents (two wins, one draw).
CSKA Sofia Team News
Bagging a stellar first-leg brace in Sofia last week and putting in a Man of the Match performance, former Apollon striker Ioannis Pittas will lead the line on Thursday evening and spearhead CSKA’s charge in the final third.
Completing a permanent switch from Argentinian outfit Estudiantes back in February, Facundo Rodriguez will start at the heart of Yanev’s defence here. Enjoying a breakout campaign last season, 20-year-old Petko Panayotov will start in the middle of the park.
Derry City vs CSKA Sofia Key Factors to Consider
- When Derry City and CSKA Sofia met for their first-leg showdown at the Vasil Levski National Stadium last week, Thursday’s guests clinched an action-packed 3-2 victory.
- CSKA are unbeaten in their three historic battles against the Candystripes (two wins, one draw).
- Derry have mustered just a sole win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- The Candystripes have conceded seven goals in their back-to-back defeats over the past fortnight.
- Including their summer preparations, CSKA have notched a trio of goals in their last three consecutive appearances.
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Conclusion
Watching Thursday’s opponents play out a thrilling five-goal battle when they met in Sofia last week, neutrals will be hoping for a repeat showdown here. With CSKA really finding a clinical edge in the final third during their summer preparations, they will meet a leaky Derry defence in North Ireland. With Thursday’s hosts shipping seven goals in their back-to-back defeats over the past fortnight, we could be treated to another action-back contest in midweek.
