Getting their Europa League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday night, CSKA Sofia will welcome Derry City to Bulgaria.With all eyes fixed on North America for the 2026 World Cup knockout stage, there are plenty of attractive betting promotions available this summer.Verdict: CSKA winBest Odds: 4/11Bookmaker: BetUSCSKA SofiaStarting with the hosts, while CSKA Sofia might have been left frustrated last season as they were eventually forced to settle for a fourth-place finish among Bulgaria’s elite, Hristo Yanev’s camp did sign off the 2025/26 campaign with a piece of silverware to show for their troubles. Crowned Bulgarian Cup champions on May 20th following a sensational penalty shootout victory against Lokomotiv Plovdiv, the Reds will be excited to get their Europa League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday night. Signing off their summer preparations with a routine 3-0 victory against domestic rivals Marek, CSKA Sofia will be confident of claiming a crucial first-leg advantage here. It should also be highlighted, Yanev’s side have suffered just a sole competitive defeat in front of their own supporters since the middle of January.CSKA Sofia Team NewsClaiming 13 domestic strikes in what was his maiden campaign in Sofia, Argentinian marksman Leandro Godoy will spearhead CSKA’s charge in the final third on Thursday night.One-time Wolves misfit Bruno Jordao will start in the middle of the park and should lead Yanev’s side out in midweek. Completing a permanent switch to the Bulgarian giants just a couple of weeks ago, one-time Inter Milan star Stefano Sensi will also make his competitive CSKA debut here.Derry CityAs for the visitors, while Derry might have sprung an almighty upset last season as they clinched a silver medal finish among Ireland’s elite, the Candystripes have drastically failed to match a similar level this time around. Last seen making a return to losing ways as they eventually fell to a concerning 4-2 defeat at home against Waterford, Tiernan Lynch’s camp are scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier Division standings. Coming under plenty of scrutiny this year, Derry have remarkably claimed just a pair of wins from any of their previous 12 consecutive top-flight showdowns – a rut that stems all the way back to April 24th. Pencilled in as a major underdog contender when they open their Europa League qualifying charge in midweek, Lynch’s struggling squad look set for a stern examination.Derry City Team NewsMissing out against Waterford last week and not included in Lynch’s squad due to a reported muscle issue, Derry City are once again sweating over the fitness of former St. Patrick’s midfielder Darragh Markey on Thursday night.Returning from his own respective muscle injury last month, Rob Slevin should get some more minutes under his belt and could be set to make a first start since back in April. Making a return to the Brandywell Stadium ahead of the 2026 campaign, Patrick McClean will start at the heart of Derry’s defence.CSKA Sofia vs Derry City Key Factors to ConsiderWhen CSKA Sofia last welcomed Derry City to Bulgaria for a Europa League qualifying battle back in the summer of 2009, Thursday’s hosts secured a 1-0 victory.CSKA have suffered just a sole competitive defeat in front of their own supporters since the middle of January.Derry City have claimed just a pair of wins from any of their previous 12 consecutive top-flight showdowns – a rut that stems all the way back to April 24th.Likewise, the Candystripes have mustered just a sole victory on the travels since the end of January.Each of CSKA’s last seven competitive fixtures last season finished with under 2.5 goals.ConclusionEnduring what has been a downbeat domestic rut and currently scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Premier Division standings, Derry City will be bracing themselves for a stern examination here. Mustering just a single win on their travels since the end of January, CSKA will certainly be confident of getting their Europa League qualifying adventure underway with a first-leg flurry in Sofia. Landing a 1-0 win when they last welcomed Derry to Bulgaria back in the summer of 2009, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.Verdict: CSKA Sofia winBest Odds: 4/11Bookmaker: BetUSThe post Prediction: CSKA Sofia vs Derry City appeared first on SoccerNews.