OFI vs CSKA Sofia — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: CSKA Sofia have built this season on keeping the ball out of their own net, and that is the main reason we want the quiet game here. They have let in under a goal a game across their last 14, and their away football has been about control rather than chances. Eight away games have brought them just over a goal a game, with less than one going in at the other end, including 0-0 both ways with Qarabag. OFI are the bigger question. They have played one competitive game since 17 May, a 2-2 tie with AEK Athens on 12 August, so they come in short of match rhythm. Pankritio has still been a decent base for them, with 4 wins from 7 there. CSKA land in Crete four days after a league game, and a long trip on short rest rarely brings open football. Neither side wants to lose this tie in the first 90 minutes, so both should keep plenty of men behind the ball. A 1-1 is the way this looks, both finding one goal and neither breaking it open. The honest worry is what OFI have been part of lately. 10 of their last 17 games had 3 or more goals, and CSKA's Joel Zwarts has 5 goals in his last 5 league games. One loose spell would change this, but we still want the tight game.