Prediction: Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 101/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Bulgaria hosts Northern Ireland in the 2nd game of the UEFA Nations League C, aiming to improve their poor start that returned a goalless stalemate in Belarus earlier in the week. The game will be played in Plovdiv at Hristo Botev Stadium where over 18, 000 fans will attend the 10th battle between Bulgaria and Northern Ireland.

Bulgaria

From a 4th place finish at the 1994 World Cup achieved in the golden era of Bulgarian football led by the legendary Ballon d’Or winner Hristov Stoickov to missing on embracing a major tournament in the last 20 years, the hosts’ failure to compete against Europe’s best is a scenario unlikely to change anytime soon.

While producing a major upset in 1994 by defeating Greece (4-0) and a strong Argentina led by Diego Maradona (2-0), the Lions topped the qualification group after producing the World Cup’s biggest shock against La Albiceleste. However, touching the semi-finals on American soil remains the best performance achieved by the Golden Generation of Bulgarian football under Stoickov&Co.

Once the Golden Generation players retired after qualifying for the 1996 Euros and the 1998 World Cup, Bulgaria’s decline started. Although another young team followed with many talented players led by former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov who successfully qualified for the 2004 European tournament, this achievement was the last time Bulgaria reached the finals of a major tournament.

More than two decades have passed since Bulgaria made a notable presence on the European or World stage, a dramatic situation set to extend in the future. Yet the Lions gave some recovery signs at the previous Nations League tournament after placing second to Georgia in Group 4 of League C. Still the Euro 2024 qualification run was a total disaster.

Being seeded in a tough group alongside Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and Lithuania, Bulgaria finished bottom of the table after failing to record a single win from eight games (D4, L4). Still, despite this poor run, coach Ilian Iliev’s team displayed a different face in the recent friendly games by succeeding to remain undefeated against Tanzania, Azerbaijan, Romania, Slovenia and Belarus (W1D4) before welcoming Northern Ireland in Plovdiv.

Team News

Playmaker Filip Krastev is suspended after being sent off against Belarus due to receiving two yellow cards. Ivan Minchev is expected to fill his place in what seems to be the only change in the line-up against Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland had a disappointing spell in the previous Nations League edition. The visitors finished 3rd in League C, 10 points behind leaders Greece. However, recording a single win in six games was enough to avoid a play-off drop, despite ending their campaign level on points with bottom-of-the-table Cyprus.

While the Euro 2024 qualifications had the visitors play against strong teams, Northern Ireland failed to maintain a high tempo winning only three games (two against San Marino), dropping to 5th place in the standings, 13 points behind group winners Denmark.

However, the Green&White Army defeated group winners Denmark (3-0) in the match that concluded the qualification for the European tournament held this summer in Germany. Furthermore, the win against Denmark revived Northern Ireland improving their level in the next games.

Michael O’Neil’s team prepared their Nations League debut with four friendly games against the top sides. Starting with a draw against Romania (1-1), Northern Ireland defeated Scotland (1-0) and Andorra (2-0) but crashed against European champions Spain (5-1 defeat). Although the fall against Spain raised some concerns, the visitors brushed away all doubts with a perfect debut in the Nations League against Luxembourg.

Northern Ireland confirmed their favourites status against Luxembourg after winning 2-0. The Green&White Army started on the front foot and was 2-0 up before the 18-minute mark, setting likewise the final score.

Team News

By scoring the winning goals, centre-back pair McNair and Ballard stole the show against Luxembourg. However, while Liverpool ace Conor Bradley is expected to start, other changes could occur in the attacking line where the trio Charles, Marshal & Price failed to make an impact.

Key factors to consider

• Bulgaria is undefeated in the last seven games (W1D6)
• The hosts won 3 of their 4 games played against Northern Island
• The visitors are in great form (W4D1L1)
• Northern Island defeated Luxembourg (2-0) in this season’s Nations League opening game

Conclusion

Following a poor start with a draw in Belarus, Bulgaria is keen to get the first win in the group. However, the 2-0 win of Northern Island against Luxembourg points to an all-out match and goals scored at both ends.

Verdict: Both teams score 

Best odds: 101/100

Bookmaker: ZetBet