Levski Sofia continue their quest to return to Europe’s biggest stage when they host Romanian champions Universitatea Craiova in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie on Wednesday evening.

Both clubs arrive in excellent form after progressing comfortably through the opening qualifying round and making winning starts to their respective domestic campaigns. With confidence high on both sides, this promises to be one of the most evenly matched ties of the round.

A place in the third qualifying round awaits the winners, but with little separating the Bulgarian and Romanian champions, every moment of the opening leg at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium could prove crucial.

Levski thriving after long-awaited return to the summit

Winning the Bulgarian title for the first time in 17 years has transformed the mood around Levski Sofia, and Julio Velazquez’s side have carried that momentum seamlessly into the new campaign.

The Blues made an emphatic statement in the previous qualifying round by dismantling Borac Banja Luka 5-1 on aggregate. After dominating the first leg despite being held to a draw, Levski produced a clinical display in Sofia, scoring four unanswered goals to book their place in the second round.

Their impressive run continued at the weekend with victory over Dunav Ruse on the opening day of the Parva Liga season, extending an unbeaten sequence that now stretches to 10 matches in all competitions.

Home form has become one of Levski’s greatest strengths. They have lost only once on home soil throughout 2026, winning the other nine competitive fixtures while combining attacking efficiency with defensive solidity. That consistency gives them genuine belief that a return to the Champions League proper, something the club has not achieved since 2006, may finally be within reach.

Armstrong Oko-Flex has made an encouraging start to the European campaign, scoring in consecutive qualifiers, while Reinaldo’s two-goal display against Borac underlined the depth of attacking options available to Velazquez. Several regular starters are expected to return after weekend rotation, ensuring Levski field close to their strongest available side.

Craiova showing championship credentials on both fronts

Universitatea Craiova have wasted little time proving that last season’s Romanian title success was no one-off.

Filipe Coelho’s team progressed through the opening qualifying round with minimal fuss, defeating Vitebsk 5-1 on aggregate before opening their domestic campaign with a convincing 4-0 victory over UTA Arad.

That result extended an outstanding unbeaten run to 11 competitive matches, during which Craiova have recorded nine victories while developing into one of the hardest teams in the region to break down. Seven clean sheets during that spell underline the defensive organisation that has become a hallmark of Coelho’s side.

Away from home, the Romanian champions have also demonstrated impressive resilience. They are unbeaten in their last six away fixtures, conceding only twice across that sequence, and will travel to Sofia confident they can frustrate the hosts before looking to strike on the counter-attack.

Stefan Baiaram and Simon Elisor both enhanced their claims for starting places after influential substitute appearances at the weekend, while experienced defender Nicușor Bancu continues to provide leadership at both ends of the pitch. Goalkeeper Pavlo Isenko remains unavailable through injury, but Craiova have shown throughout recent months that they possess the depth required to cope with important absentees.

Verdict: Fine margins expected between two confident champions

It is difficult to split two teams that have made such convincing starts to the season.

Levski’s formidable home record and the atmosphere inside the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium give the Bulgarian champions a slight advantage, but Craiova’s defensive discipline and impressive away form suggest they will remain firmly in contention throughout the tie.

The visitors are unlikely to give away many opportunities, yet Levski’s confidence and attacking momentum could prove enough to edge a closely contested first leg before the return fixture in Romania.

Tip

Levski Sofia to win.