SOFIA, Bulgaria (Interstat) — The Bulgarian First League’s fiercest capital rivalry renews Saturday as PFK CSKA Sofia hosts PFK Slavia Sofia at the Stadion Balgarska Armia.

The match, scheduled for Feb. 21, 2026, pits a surging CSKA against a Slavia side seeking to regain its footing after a recent stumble.

CSKA enters with significant momentum, riding a three-match winning streak in all competitions. Most notably, they secured a 2-0 victory over city rivals FK CSKA 1948 Sofia last Saturday, following a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture just four days prior. Their form has been formidable, losing just once in their last ten league matches.

Slavia’s trajectory is less certain. They were dealt a 2-1 defeat at Arda last weekend, snapping a previous run of decent results. Their season has been marked by inconsistency, particularly in defense, having conceded three goals in losses to both Arda and FK CSKA 1948 Sofia in recent months.

The head-to-head history suggests a closely contested derby. The last meeting between these sides ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Slavia’s stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.

A statistical projection from Interstat forecasts a narrow, tense affair, predicting a 1-0 victory for the home side.

The stakes extend beyond local bragging rights in the tight First League table. CSKA will look to maintain pressure on the league leaders, while Slavia aims to stabilize its position and disrupt its rival’s chase.

KEY CONTEXT: - CSKA Form: Unbeaten in five (4 wins, 1 draw). Key victory: 1-0 at PFK Levski Sofia on Nov. 8, 2025. - Slavia Form: One win in last four matches across all competitions. Notable result: 3-1 home win over Dobrudzha 1919 on Nov. 30, 2025. - Next Up: CSKA travels to Septemvri Sofia on Feb. 28. Slavia hosts FK CSKA 1948 Sofia on Feb. 27.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) in Sofia.