CSKA Sofia Vs St Patrick’s Athletic Match Analysis And Prediction

Republished By Plato

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CSKA Sofia play host to St Patrick’s Athletic in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third round qualifying tie.

The hosts saw off Macedonia side Makedonija Gjorce Petrov to reach this stage, while St Patrick’s Athletico defeated Slovenia outfit NS Mura.

Following a neutral goalless draw in the first leg in Macedonia, CSKA Sofia showcased their superiority over their opponents by beating them 4-0 at Bulgarian Army Stadium.

Star Striker Georgi Yomov broke the deadlock with a fine goal moments after the hour mark to double his side’s lead, with Sofia enjoying themselves threafter with a couple of late strikes adding onto their victory.

Sasa Ilic’s side were a force on the European stage in previous decades, reaching the semi-final of the European Cup in 1982. as well as the quarter-finals in 1981 and 1990.

Should the Reds manage to advance past St Patrick’s and into the Europa Conference League group stage, they will hope for a much better performance than last season, when they collected just one point from six matches.

However, the Bulgarians would be indiscreet to underestimate the League of Ireland runners-up, given that they have already eliminated a side which reached last season’s group stage in this competition.

In fact, NS Mura surprised the world by defeating Tottenham Hotspur last season, but the Slovenians could not find their way past St Patrick’s Athletic across two legs, with penalties eventually helping The Athletic progress.

Tim Clancy’s side have not competed beyond the qualification rounds of any European competition since losing to Hertha Berlin in the first round of the UEFA Cup in 2008, so they are on the verge of making history.

Clancy will be hoping for a similar stubborn showing to the one which earned his side a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in Slovenia.

CSKA Sofia vs St Patrick’s Athletic head to head

The two teams have not previously met on any occasion and this will be their first meeting in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third round qualifying tie.

CSKA Sofia latest home form

CSKA Sofia have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Beroe 5-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 15 goals and conceded just one.

CSKA Sofia 2-0 Sportist Svoge 05/07/22

CSKA Sofia 3-0 Arda 10/07/22

CSKA Sofia 1-0 Cherno more 25/07/22

CSKA Sofia 4-0 Makedonija Gjp 28/07/22

CSKA Sofia 5-1 Beroe 31/07/22

CSKA Sofia latest away form

CSKA Sofia have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their six most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Makedonija GJP in their last away game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored two goals and conceded seven.

Cherno more 0-0 CSKA Sofia 22/05/22

Salzburg 2-1 CSKA Sofia 24/06/22

Sepsi 4-0 CSKA Sofia 27/06/22

Lokomotiv Sofia 1929 1-1 CSKA Sofia 16/07/22

Makedonija Gjp 0-0 CSKA Sofia 21/07/22

St Patrick’s Athletic latest home form

St Patrick’s have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their five most recent matches. They lost 3-2 to Waterford in their last away game in the Irish Cup. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded seven.

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-2 Shamrock Rovers 27/06/22

St Patrick’s Athletic 3-0 Drogheda United 01/07/22

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Dundalk 15/07/22

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-1 Mura 21/07/22

St Patrick’s Athletic 2-3 Waterford 31/07/22

St Patrick’s Athletic latest away form

St Patrick’s have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their seven most recent matches. They defeated Mura through penalties in their last away game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded four.

Derry City 0-0 St Patrick’s Athletic 09/05/22

Sligo Rovers 1-1 St Patrick’s Athletic 14/05/22

Dundalk 1-0 St Patrick’s Athletic 27/05/22

Finn Harps 2-2 St Patrick’s Athletic 24/06/22

Mura 0-0(P) St Patrick’s Athletic 28/07/22

CSKA Sofia news

CSKA Sofia will come into Thursday’s contest without the services of winger Ivan Mitrev, who continues his journey to recovery from a fractured leg.

Having beaten Makedonija Gjp 4-0 last time out in this competion, Ilic is unlikely to make any changes from the XI who took to the pitch in that occasion.

St Patrick’s Athletic news

St Patrick’s Athletic do not appear to have any injury concerns ahead of the contest in Bulgaria, so Doyle has a full squad at his exposure to select from.

Former Bolton Wanderers forward Eion Doyle played the full 90 minutes in Slovenia and will be expected to do the same in Bulgaria on Thursday.

Prediction and Odds

CSKA Sofia boast a technical ability which will prove to be on another level to St Patrick’s Athletic, and we expect the Bulgarians to secure a comfortable win.

With the visitors likely to lose in the first leg, they have enough to dig in and give themselves a glimer of hope in the return leg.

Odds: 1 2.15 X 2.00 2 2.22