Derry City host CSKA Sofia in a UEFA Europa League qualification round one second-leg clash on Thursday, with the away side favourites to progress through the tie.
The Bulgarians are playing in Europe for the first time in three years but have European pedigree and travel to a Derry side who have never reached the group stage of any UEFA competition.
Derry are struggling in their domestic league this season and are on course for their worst campaign since 2020.
Going into this tie with a 3-2 deficit gives them hope, but the visitors should have too much quality for the Candystripes.
Derry City v CSKA Sofia Tips Summary
Best Bet - CSKA Sofia to win @ 5/6
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11
Bet Builder - Over 10 corners, Ioannis Pittas anytime goalscorer, Total goals between 2-3 goals @ 8/1
Derry City v CSKA Sofia Prediction
Best Bet - CSKA Sofia to win @ 5/6
CSKA Sofia's win in Bulgaria was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, thanks to an 89th-minute goal from James Olayinka to give Derry City hope.
Olayinka's late strike was a huge boost to the Candystripes, who may have felt the job too big had they been heading home with a two-goal deficit.
However, despite the late strike, the Bulgarians will fancy their chances of getting through the tie, given they were in control of the first leg and will be kicking themselves for giving their opponents a belief so late on.
CSKA have made it to the group stage of either the UEFA Europa League or the UEFA Conference League three times in the past 10 years and were victorious against St Patrick's Athletic in the 2022/23 UEFA Conference League third qualifying round, so will have no fear ahead of this second leg.
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11
Five of Derry City's last seven matches have featured over 2.5 goals and the clash between the pair last week ended 3-2 with the two sides combining for 18 shots.
With Thursday's hosts a goal down, they will need to attack at some point during this clash and, in doing so, are likely to leave space at the back that CSKA are more than capable of exploiting.
Derry's home form this season has been poor, with just five wins from 13 matches, and those games have produced 37 goals.
Against a team of higher quality than anything in domestic Irish football, backing the tie to throw up three or more goals appeals.
Derry City v CSKA Sofia Bet Builder Tip
Over 10 corners
Ioannis Pittas anytime goalscorer
Total goals between 2-3 goals
Pays 8/1
There were 11 corners between the two sides in Sofia last week and that line can be matched again in Derry.
Over 10 corners has landed in four of Derry's last six matches and six out of CSKA's last seven fixtures, so a similar outcome is backed in Northern Ireland this week.
Ioannis Pittas was in fine form in Bulgaria last week, scoring twice for the home side and the Cypriot international can find the back of the net once more in Derry.
Pittas leads the line for his side and is the focal point of the Bulgarians' attack. He is a constant menace and could be the key to this tie.
Derry's home matches this season have seen an average of just under three goals per match, and that line is one to look at again in this fixture.
CSKA will be sure to tighten up in defence given their lapse in concentration towards the end of the first leg and a lower-scoring match could be in store.
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Key Match Stats
Six of CSKA Sofia's last seven matches have seen over 10 corners
Derry's home matches have averaged 2.8 goals per fixture this season
Five of Derry's last seven matches have seen over 2.5 goals
Derry have won just five of 13 home matches this season
Michael Duffy is Derry's top scorer this season with six goals in 18 matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
