Azerbaijani champions Qarabag FK welcome Bulgarian giants PFC CSKA Sofia to the Azersun Arena in Baku for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Gurban Gurbanov’s experienced side aims to build a decisive aggregate lead ahead of next week’s return fixture in Sofia.

Qarabag: Dominant First Round and Possession Control

Qarabag produced a clinical display in the first qualifying round, sweeping past Icelandic outfit Vestri with consecutive 3-0 victories to progress 6-0 on aggregate.

Gurbanov’s squad continues to execute their signature tactical setup characterized by high-possession dominance, fluid wide play, and rapid counter-pressing. Barring defender Bahlul Mustafazada's injury absence, Qarabag boast a fully fit squad and an exceptional home record in European qualifiers.

CSKA Sofia: Match Sharpness Amid Defensive Fragilities

CSKA Sofia navigated a tricky opening round against Derry City, earning a 5-3 aggregate triumph (3-2 home, 2-1 away). While Hristo Yanev’s men showed attacking potency, their backline displayed clear vulnerabilities under pressure.

The visitors possess a slight advantage in competitive match fitness, having already kicked off their domestic campaign with a 0-0 draw against Slavia Sofia. However, stepping up to face Qarabag on foreign soil represents a far tougher assignment.

Key Match Stats & Head-to-Head

• Qarabag enter this fixture riding a four-match winning streak in official competitive fixtures.

• CSKA Sofia remain unbeaten this season across all competitions (2 wins, 1 draw).

• The two sides have met in three friendly matches historically, resulting in two wins for Qarabag and one for CSKA.

Qarabag vs CSKA Sofia Prediction

While CSKA's superior match sharpness could keep them competitive in early exchanges, Qarabag's European pedigree, tactical structure, and home dominance make them clear favorites.

Expect the hosts to dictate tempo from the outset and secure a comfortable first-leg advantage. Official updates and statistics are available via UEFA.com.

Match Prediction: Qarabag FK to Win.