Levski Sofia vs Salzburg Prediction & Betting Tips (17 September)

Levski Sofia host Red Bull Salzburg on Thursday, 17 September 2026 at Vivacom Arena Georgi Asparuhov in the UEFA Europa League league phase, and both sides arrive with plenty to prove. The Blues are still smarting from their 2-4 defeat to arch-rivals CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian Super Cup, though they responded with a hard-fought 2-1 away win at Slavia Sofia and a 1-0 league victory over CSKA 1948. Austrian giants Salzburg, meanwhile, come into the tie as slight favourites on European odds of around 2.20, with the draw at roughly 3.40 and a Levski win near 2.90.

Levski's domestic form has been otherwise excellent, highlighted by a 6-0 thrashing of Spartak Varna and a comfortable win over Lokomotiv Plovdiv, but their 0-4 Champions League qualifying loss at AEK Athens exposed defensive vulnerabilities against quicker continental attacks. Salzburg, regulars in European competition, are dealing with several injury concerns of their own, with Johannes Moser, Gaoussou Diakité and Soumaïla Diabaté all ruled out, while Levski report no unavailable players for the 2026/27 season squad. The Austrians' high pressing will test a home back line built around Plamen Hristov, Anthony Centelles and Carlos Makoun.

Both teams' squads for the 2026/27 campaign offer attacking depth worth watching. Levski can call on Aleksandar Mitkov, Marko Grujic and creative outlets such as Reinaldo and Alie Sesay-type runners supporting striker Juan Perea, with new signing A. Oko-Flex adding pace out wide and Svetoslav Vutsov in goal. Salzburg's young, fluid front unit mirrors their trademark Red Bull energy, and their ability to rotate fresh legs in midfield could be decisive late on. Given Salzburg's superior European pedigree but Levski's home advantage and full-strength roster, this shapes up as an open, entertaining contest rather than a cautious affair.

Our prediction for Levski Sofia vs Salzburg is a 2-2 draw. Salzburg's quality suggests they will create the clearer chances, but Levski's attacking momentum at home, plus the visitors' depleted options through injury, point to goals at both ends. With European odds pricing the draw above 3.40 and both teams to score at a short 1.50, a 2-2 scoreline at odds of around 11.75 represents solid value, though Levski will need to tighten up after conceding four in their Super Cup defeat if they are to take anything from their Europa League ope