7M - UEFA Europa League Preview: Derry City vs CSKA Sofia - prediction, team news, lineups

Derry City welcome Bulgarian heavyweights CSKA Sofia to The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round tie, needing a victory to overturn a narrow 3-2 deficit from last week's thrilling encounter in Sofia.

Team News & Tactical Outlook

Derry City head coach Tiernan Lynch receives a timely boost with the return of influential midfielder Adam O'Reilly and left-back Brandon Fleming, the latter back from European suspension. Striker Liam Boyce, who hit the net in the first leg, will lead the frontline once again, supported by newly arrived midfielder Nick Twisk and veteran winger James McClean.

CSKA Sofia arrive in Ireland in prime position to manage the aggregate clock. Manager Hristo Yanev is tipped to field an unchanged starting lineup, relying on former Inter Milan midfielder Stefano Sensi to anchor tempo alongside captain Bruno Jordão. Up front, Ioannis Pittas looks to continue his red-hot form after netting a decisive brace in the first leg.

Predicted Lineups

Derry City Possible XI:

Maher; Barr, Grogan, P. McClean, Fleming; Cotter, Olayinka, O'Reilly, Twisk, Duffy; Boyce

CSKA Sofia Possible XI:

Lapoukhov; Martino, Rodriguez, Ivanov, Pastor; Jordao; Panayotov, Sensi, Solet; Pittas, Godoy

Match Prediction

Derry City 2-2 CSKA Sofia (CSKA Sofia win 5-4 on aggregate)

Driven by an impassioned home crowd, Derry City are expected to push aggressively from kickoff. However, CSKA Sofia possess superior midfield poise and elite individual quality on the break, which should see the Bulgarian side hold firm to secure draw on the night and progress on aggregate.