NEC vs Levski Sofia Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

NEC vs Levski Sofia Game Preview

NEC host Levski Sofia at the Goffertstadion in the Europa League, and neither club has a point on the board yet. Somebody's patience runs out Thursday.

NEC are back in European competition for the first time since 2009, but the return has been rough. Dick Schreuder's side sit dead last in the Europa League standings.

Levski Sofia arrive with Julio Velázquez close to full strength, but their record on the road in major European competition is grim, with only six wins from 65 such games.

The stakes are simple. NEC need a response after a brutal European run, and Levski need to turn a strong domestic weekend into something they can carry abroad.

NEC vs Levski Sofia Recent Results

NEC have been battered in Europe, losing 5-0 at Juventus to extend a losing run in European games that stretches back through qualifying. The domestic picture offers more hope. They earned a 1-1 tie at Ajax last time out, with Tjaronn Chery converting a first-half penalty before the defense held firm under sustained pressure.

Levski Sofia lost 1-0 at home to Salzburg in the Europa League, and the attack was toothless, failing to put a single effort on target. Domestic form is brighter. They won 2-0 away to Cherno More with a clean sheet, as El Mehdi El Moubarik opened the scoring and Reinaldo added another after the interval.

NEC vs Levski Sofia Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

NEC: B. Nuytinck (Injured/out), E. Mor (Injured/out), P. Sandler (Injured/out), K. Sierhuis (Injured/out), D. Geiger (Injured/out), A. Thomas (Suspended)

Levski Sofia: A. Bouras (Injured/out), R. Kirilov (Ineligible)

NEC

The NEC vs Levski Sofia lineups start with a problem for the hosts. Dick Schreuder is without six players, leaving NEC short across defense, midfield and attack. With Dennis Geiger ill and Dele Thomas suspended, Noé Lebreton and Darko Nejašmić carry the load in central midfield and have to steady the build-up. Up top, Tjaronn Chery and Dušan Tadić line up behind Bryan Linssen, and Chery remains NEC's most important source of creativity and end product.

Levski Sofia

Julio Velázquez is without Radoslav Kirilov and Akram Bouras but otherwise has most of his preferred options. Gasper Trdin and Serginho form the midfield base, with Armstrong Oko-Flex operating centrally ahead of them, and their job is to break up NEC's passing rhythm. Reinaldo leads the line after scoring at the weekend, and Levski need far more precision in front of goal than they showed against Salzburg.

NEC vs Levski Sofia Predicted Lineup

NEC

Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: G. Crettaz; P. Schuurs, T. Storm, A. Kabar; C. Bischoff, D. Nejasmic, N. Lebreton, K. Kers; D. Tadic, T. Chery; B. Linssen

Levski Sofia

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: S. Vutsov; Aldair, C. Makoun, K. Dimitrov, Maicon; Serginho, G. Trdin; E. Bala, A. Oko-Flex, Á. Centelles; Reinaldo

NEC vs Levski Sofia Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our NEC vs Levski Sofia prediction is a 2-1 home win. NEC are short-handed and leaky, so this won't be clean, but home field and a Levski attack that has struggled to test goalkeepers in Europe tilt it toward the hosts. The NEC vs Levski Sofia betting odds point the same way, with NEC the favorite at +106 (Polymarket).

Best Picks

Over 2.5 goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. The first of our NEC vs Levski Sofia best picks sits in the Total Goals Over/Under market, and the projections back it hard. The two sides are projected for 3.6 combined goals, and Over 2.5 carries a 69.81% implied probability, well above what the market suggests. With NEC missing bodies all over the field, this has messy written all over it.

Both Teams To Score: Yes. Same story in the Both Teams To Score market. Our projections give it a 69.23% implied probability, and both clubs are projected to find the net. With NEC short across defense, midfield and attack, Reinaldo should get looks to add to his weekend goal, while Chery gives the hosts their own route to the scoresheet.

NEC vs Levski Sofia Same Game Parlay

Our NEC vs Levski Sofia Same Game Parlay picks stack four legs: NEC on the Moneyline, Kaj Sierhuis Anytime Goalscorer, Both Teams To Score: Yes and Álex Centelles To Be Shown A Card.

NEC on the Moneyline carries a 46% implied probability, the highest of the three outcomes. Home field and Levski's weak away record in Europe make the hosts the side to back.

Kaj Sierhuis is listed among NEC's injured players, so this leg comes with a big caveat. Confirm he is in the squad before placing it, because there is no case for it otherwise.

Both Teams To Score: Yes fits the theme of the whole card. Chery scored at Ajax, Reinaldo scored at the weekend, and NEC's depleted roster leaves them exposed at the back.

Álex Centelles To Be Shown A Card is the longest leg here at a 23.17% implied probability. He starts on the left of Levski's attack, where tracking Clement Bischoff will be part of the job.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

NEC vs Levski Sofia Talking Points

Dick Schreuder's aggressive, high-pressing system, dubbed "Dicki-taka" in local media, is the storyline here. Julio Velázquez, who previously coached Fortuna Sittard, called it a high-tempo "total football" approach that commits heavy numbers into the box regardless of the opponent. That front-foot style, led by former Ajax captain Dušan Tadić alongside Chery and Linssen, is exactly why NEC can hurt Levski, and exactly why they keep leaving gaps behind. History is not on the visitors' side either. Levski have lost all six previous away games in the Netherlands, conceding at least twice every time, which lines up neatly with a home win in an open, goal-heavy game.

NEC vs Levski Sofia Predictions FAQs

When is the NEC vs Levski Sofia Europa League game?

The game kicks off at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in the Europa League 2026/2027 season.

Where is NEC vs Levski Sofia being played?

The game is being played at the Goffertstadion.

Who is expected to start for NEC and Levski Sofia?

NEC's probable starters include G. Crettaz, T. Storm, D. Tadic, and B. Linssen. Levski Sofia's probable starters include S. Vutsov, C. Makoun, A. Oko-Flex, and Reinaldo.

Which players are missing for NEC and Levski Sofia?

NEC are missing B. Nuytinck, E. Mor, P. Sandler, K. Sierhuis, D. Geiger, and A. Thomas, while Levski Sofia are missing A. Bouras and R. Kirilov.

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