Read our Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg prediction with expert betting tips, odds, and predicted lineups ahead of Thursday's thrilling Europa League clash.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Match Summary
Competition | Europa League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Thursday 17 September 2026 |
Match Time | 17:45 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Sofia, Vasil Levski National Stadium |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | TNT Sport Extra (UK), Sky Sport Austria, Movistar Liga de Campeones |
Levski Sofia open their Europa League campaign against Salzburg at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, back on Europe's main stage for the first time in 15 years.
Julio Velázquez's side dropped into this competition after a Champions League play-off defeat to AEK Athens, yet they have lost only twice in 18 competitive matches this season.
Salzburg arrive in even better nick, unbeaten in their first 12 fixtures across all competitions, having found the net in 15 straight matches heading into this opener.
The head-to-head favours the visitors, who won both previous meetings 1-0 during the 2009/10 Europa League group stage. This fixture pits a stubborn home defence against in-form Austrian attackers.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Form
Levski have been rock solid at home, keeping three clean sheets from three European home matches this season and seven in their last eight such fixtures. They have lost only twice in 18 competitive outings. Reinaldo leads the line, with Levski winning all five games in which he has scored.
Salzburg are the form side, unbeaten in their opening 12 matches across all competitions and scoring in 15 straight. They have conceded just three times in their last six and put 17 goals on the board over that run. Haris Tabaković has nine goals in 10 appearances this season.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Levski Sofia: N. Serafimov (Injured/out), A. Bouras (Injured/out), R. Kirilov (Ineligible), M. Sangaré (Ineligible), O. Kamdem (Ineligible)
FC Salzburg: C. Früchtl (Injured/out), J. Omoregie (Injured/out), S. Diabaté (Injured/out), G. Diakite (Injured/out), A. Chase (Ineligible), F. Matijasevic (Ineligible), J. Moser (Ineligible)
Levski Sofia
Julio Velázquez is without Radoslav Kirilov, Mustapha Sangaré and Oliver Kamdem through ineligibility, while Nikola Serafimov and Akram Bouras are sidelined by injury. Svetoslav Vutsov should start in goal behind a back four, with Marko Grujić and Gašper Trdin anchoring the engine room. Reinaldo leads the line, and five of his six goals this season have arrived after half-time.
FC Salzburg
Danny Röhl is missing Anrie Chase, Filip Matijasevic and Johannes Moser through ineligibility, with Christian Früchtl, Justin Omoregie, Soumaïla Diabaté and Gaoussou Diakité all injured. Christian Zawieschitzky should start in goal, with Sota Kitano operating centrally behind Haris Tabaković, whose nine goals in 10 appearances make him the clear early threat.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Predicted Lineup
Levski Sofia
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Vutsov; Maicon, Makoun, Dimitrov, Aldair; Trdin, Grujic; Bala, Serginho, Oko-Flex; Reinaldo
FC Salzburg
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Zawieschitzky; Veratschnig, Boma, Zabransky, Schmid; Barry, Mazurek; Vertessen, Kitano, Baidoo; Tabakovic
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Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Key Stats & Match Facts
Salzburg won both previous meetings between the sides 1-0 during the 2009/10 Europa League group stage.
Levski have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight European home fixtures.
Salzburg are unbeaten in their first 12 matches across all competitions and have scored in 15 straight.
Salzburg have lost their last nine Europa League away matches in the competition proper, a run stretching back to 2018.
Mohammad Al-Emara of Finland takes charge as referee, with Pawel Malec of Poland on VAR duty.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Levski's home defensive record should keep this competitive, but Salzburg's attacking form gives them the edge. We are backing the visitors to nick it, with our projected scoreline a 2-1 win for Salzburg.
Best Bets
Back Over 2.5 Goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. The numbers point to a lively affair, with a forecast of 3.35 total goals and Over 2.5 rated around a 65% call. Salzburg's habit of scoring in every game backs that up.
Back FC Salzburg to win in the Win Market. The Austrians are rated clear favourites with a win probability just above 50%, and their form and cutting edge make them the pick to take the points in Sofia.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder backs Salzburg to win, Karim Konate to score anytime, both teams to score, and Alex Centelles to be shown a card in a heated European opener.
Salzburg's away edge is the anchor. Rated clear favourites at a win probability just above 50%, their attacking rhythm should carry them past a stubborn Levski.
Konate got the goalscoring going in the play-off round, netting twice against Mjällby, and slots in as the anytime scorer for a side finding the net in 15 straight.
Both teams to score makes sense too, with Reinaldo firing at home and Salzburg unlikely to leave without a goal given their relentless scoring run this season.
Finally, Centelles to be carded fits a fiercely contested tie where the Austrians will need to work hard against a well-drilled, disciplined home defence.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 24/1 and is as short as 14/1 elsewhere.
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Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Talking Points
The clash of styles is the story here as both sides open their 2026-27 Europa League league phase at the Vasil Levski National Stadium. Levski have been miserly at home, with three clean sheets from three European home matches, and their organisation will be tested by a Salzburg side averaging more than seven shots on target per match. Yet the Austrians carry a warning sign: they have lost their last nine Europa League away matches in the competition proper. Tabaković, with nine goals in 10 outings and a habit of striking early, is the man Levski must smother from the first whistle.
Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Predictions FAQs
When is the Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg Europa League game?
The match takes place on Thursday, 17 September 2026 at 17:45 UK time.
Where is Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg being played?
The match will be played at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia.
Where can I watch Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg?
The match will be broadcast on TNT Sport Extra, Sky Sport Austria and Movistar Liga de Campeones.
What competition is Levski Sofia vs FC Salzburg in?
The fixture is part of the 2026/2027 Europa League.
Disclaimer
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