OFI host CSKA Sofia on Thursday 20 August 2026 at 20:00 ET in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie at Pankritio Stadium, with both sides trying to take an early step toward the UEFA Europa League.
The match comes at an interesting point for both clubs. OFI are entering the tie before starting their season, while CSKA Sofia have already built up some sharpness through league play. That could matter immediately in Heraklion, where the home side will be aiming to carry over the momentum from ending last season with a 3-1 home win over Volos.
How OFI and CSKA Sofia reached this stage
Last term, OFI finished sixth in the Greek Super League regular season and third in their European play-off group. That was enough to put them in position for this tie, and Christos Kontis will now try to guide them through a demanding first leg on home soil.
CSKA Sofia arrive with a more advanced competitive rhythm. In the third round of Europa League qualifying, they beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-3 on aggregate. They also put together a strong domestic result on Sunday before this match, beating Vratsa 5-0 at Vasil Levski. According to the record available, CSKA Sofia have started their league campaign with four wins and a draw.
What the form points to
The numbers suggest a competitive but carefully balanced tie. OFI have shown they can be efficient at home, while CSKA Sofia have mixed attacking production with a solid run of results. The visitors' recent record includes 1.3 goals, 2.6 shots on goal, 7.9 attempts and 43.9% possession in one stretch of matches, along with 2.5 corners per match.
CSKA Sofia's broader run has also featured 1.8 goals, 4.5 corners and 5.4 shots on goal from 11.7 attempts, with a 3-1 result and a 5-0 win among the key reference points. OFI, meanwhile, have been tied to figures such as 3 wins, 5 losses and 2 draws in one recent sample, along with 2.4 goals, 16.9 attempts, 6.4 shots on goal and 51.6% possession, which points to a team that can still create chances even when results have been uneven.
Confirmed lineup notes and match angle
The article record also points to specific personnel being involved around the tie, including Juan Angel Neira, Levan Shengelia, Andrey Yordanov, Fedor Lapouphov, Thiago Nuss, Aitor Cantalapiedra, Ioannis Pittas and Leandro Godoy. With the first leg being played at Pankritio Stadium, OFI will be looking to make home advantage count before the return fixture.
For both clubs, the stakes are straightforward. A positive result in Heraklion would create a much better path into the next stage of Europa League qualifying, while a difficult night would leave the other side with more control over the tie. On Thursday, that is the main question Flash scores will help answer in real time.
