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Bulgaria welcome Iceland to Plovdiv on Friday for a crucial Nations League Group C4 encounter, with the hosts needing another positive result to keep their promotion hopes alive.
The visitors arrive at the top of the section on eight points from four matches and know that another victory would put them within touching distance of an immediate return to League B.
Bulgaria sit third with four points, four behind their opponents, and know that anything less than victory could leave them unable to challenge for a top-two finish if Estonia beat Luxembourg in the other Group C4 fixture.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions, along with our Betano bonus code.
Bulgaria vs. Iceland key stats
- Iceland are unbeaten in their four Nations League matches this campaign.
- Orri Oskarsson has scored in five of his last six appearances for Real Sociedad entering into Friday’s Nations League outing.
- Bulgaria have recorded just one win in their last six matches (D2, L3) across all competitions, drawing twice and losing twice.
- Iceland have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Nations League.
Bulgaria vs. Iceland preview: Visitors look to tighten their grip on Group C4 top spot
Bulgaria vs Iceland — Tale of the Tape
| Bulgaria | vs | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd | Position | 1st |
| 4 | Points | 8 |
| 3 | Goals For | 7 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 1 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 3rd (H) | Home / Away Rank | 1st (A) |
Bulgaria's campaign has been disrupted by a managerial departure, with Aleksandar Dimitrov resigning after his team were held to a goalless draw by Estonia in September.
Under-19 coach Atanas Ribarski was subsequently handed interim responsibility and has overseen contrasting results, losing 3-0 to Iceland before guiding the side to a 2-0 victory away to Luxembourg.
That success in Luxembourg offered Bulgaria a much-needed response after their opening two group fixtures brought only one point, although they remain under pressure to collect another win before travelling to Estonia on the final matchday.
The hosts have also struggled to make their home advantage count in Plovdiv, where they lost 2-1 to Luxembourg before being held by Estonia, leaving them with just one goal from their two home matches in the section.
Ribarski has had to make a further adjustment to his attacking options after Martin Minchev withdrew from the squad through injury, with Svetoslav Kovachev called up as his replacement.
Iceland, meanwhile, have put themselves in a strong position to challenge for promotion under Arnar Gunnlaugsson, having collected eight points from their opening four fixtures and conceded only once in the group.
The visitors have already beaten Bulgaria this season, recording a 3-0 victory in Reykjavik on October 3, when Oskarsson struck twice to secure their first-ever win against the Bulgarians.
Iceland’s two victories in the section have also come alongside draws against Estonia, leaving Strakarnir okkar in control of their own promotion prospects as they prepare for a final-day meeting with Luxembourg.
Gunnlaugsson has urged his players to embrace their position at the top of the group, and victory in Plovdiv would secure automatic promotion to League B before they return home to face Luxembourg next week.
Mikael Anderson is available after recovering from injury, giving Iceland another option in midfield as they seek to maintain the defensive control that has underpinned their campaign.
Bulgaria vs. Iceland form guide & betting tips
| Bulgaria | vs | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
DLDLW |
Form | LDWWD |
| 5 | Goals For | 7 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 4 |
DLW |
UEFA Nations League | WWD |
Whispers predicts: Bulgaria 0-2 Iceland
Bulgaria under 1.5 team goals is an appealing selection at 1.29, as the hosts have struggled to produce consistently in attack and face an Iceland side that has been difficult to break down during this campaign.
Both teams to score – No is also worth considering at 1.70, particularly as Iceland have shown they can keep opponents from creating clear opportunities, a trend that supports our 2-0 correct-score prediction in favour of the visitors at 8.00 (7/1).
Oskarsson to score anytime offers an attractive alternative at 2.87, with the Real Sociedad forward having already demonstrated his threat against Bulgaria and likely to be central to Iceland's attacking plans again.
> Bulgaria under 1.5 team goals at 1.29 (2/7) | Likelihood: Probable
> Both teams to score – No at 1.70 (7/10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Orri Oskarsson anytime goalscorer at 2.87 (15/8) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: Bulgaria 0-2 Iceland at 8.00 (7/1) | Likelihood: Outsider