PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (Interstat) — Lokomotiv Plovdiv and PFK CSKA Sofia will meet Wednesday in a Bulgarian Cup matchup at Stadion Lokomotiv, with the home side riding a narrow head-to-head edge and a simulator projection favoring a 1-0 result.

The two teams last faced Aug. 2, 2025, when Lokomotiv won 1-0 at CSKA Sofia. That result stretched Lokomotiv’s recent dominance in the series, and a computer simulation by Interstat forecasts another 1-0 victory for the hosts on May 20, 2026.

Lokomotiv Plovdiv enters the match after a 4-0 loss at PFK Arda 1924 Kardzhali on May 16 (Interstat) — a heavy defeat that snapped a three-match unbeaten run. Prior to that, Lokomotiv beat Arda 2-0 on May 8, defeated PFK Botev Plovdiv 2-0 on May 3, and lost 1-0 to PFK Cherno More Varna on April 26. Overall this season, Lokomotiv has posted a 7-2-1 record in its last 10 league outings, including a 4-0 win over Arda on April 22 and a 1-1 draw with PFK Botev Plovdiv on April 8. The side also notched a 1-0 victory over Lokomotiv 1929 on April 3 and a 2-1 win at FK Botev Vratsa on March 22. However, a 5-0 loss to FK CSKA 1948 Sofia on March 5 remains a blemish.

CSKA Sofia arrives after a 1-0 win at FK CSKA 1948 Sofia on May 8 and a 1-0 home victory over PFK Ludogorets 1945 Razgrad on May 3. Those results followed a 3-1 loss to PFK Levski Sofia on April 25. The Red Army’s season has been uneven: they beat Ludogorets 2-1 on the road April 21, drew 1-1 with Levski on April 13, and won 1-0 at Montana on April 8. A 3-0 win at PFK Beroe Stara Zagora on April 4 and a 2-0 victory at Dobrudzha 1919 on March 22 highlight their form, but a 3-0 home loss to Ludogorets on March 14 and a 2-0 defeat at Septemvri Sofia on Feb. 28 show inconsistency.

Wednesday’s cup tie will be decided by which side can overcome recent struggles. Lokomotiv’s defense, after conceding four goals to Arda, will need to tighten against a CSKA attack that has scored in four of its last five matches. CSKA, meanwhile, will aim to avenge the August loss and advance in the Cup.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. local time.