Bulgaria Braces for Eternal Footbal Derby

Levski supporters cheer their team Thursday during their last practice for the derby against arch-rivals CSKA Saturday. Photo by BGNES

Arch-rivals Levski and CSKA will face each other in the most high-profile derby of Bulgarian football Saturday evening in Sofia.

The spring half of the 2010-2011 national football championship will open with the Levski-CSKA match hosted by Levski's Georgi Asparuhov stadium, at 18.00 EET.

Fans of both teams have started gathering at the usual points in downtown Sofia early Saturday afternoon. There is a proportionately upped police presence in the city.

Commentators point out Levski as the favorite, with CSKA having problems with key players. To boot, Levski has a strong record as a host against rivals CSKA, their last home loss being in 1985.

The two Sofia teams have played 173 games total against each other, with Levski holding 76 wins, against CSKA's 51 wins, and 45 draws.

With 15 games played over the first half of the championship, Levski is second with 32 points, while CSKA is fifth with 26. Litex Lovech is at the helm with 37 points.

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