Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria prediction, odds & betting tips – 15/10/2024

Northern Ireland take on Bulgaria at Windsor Park in a Nations League C Group 3 fixture on Tuesday, 15 October. Read our Nations League predictions for the contest in Belfast below.

Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria prediction: Visitors to avoid defeat?

Key Stats

• Bulgaria are unbeaten after three games of the new Nations League campaign.
• The Bulgarians are in the midst of a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in 100% of Bulgaria’s last seven matches.
• Three of Bulgaria’s last five fixtures finished level at 0-0.

Correct score prediction: Northern Ireland 0-0 Bulgaria

Both Northern Ireland and Bulgaria drew their Nations League tests at the weekend 0-0 and chances could be in short supply again when these teams face off in Belfast. Three of Bulgaria’s last five tussles finished 0-0 and a similar outcome could be worth backing here.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts favoured in the markets

• HOME: 5/6 (1.83) – 54.4%
• DRAW: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
• AWAY: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%

*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change

Northern Ireland dropped points at Belarus at the weekend despite dominating proceedings and despite being 5/6 favourites ahead of Tuesday’s game, the Green and White Army might lack the bite in the final third to prevail.

Bulgaria need just one more positive result to extend their unbeaten run to ten matches and backing them to draw in Belfast at 23/10 looks like an attractive option. Read more of our latest football tips for the Nations League fixture by clicking the link.

Most recent H2Hs: History of low scoring encounters

Northern Ireland lost 1-0 to Bulgaria in Plovdiv last month and four of the last five meetings between the nations have featured under 2.5 goals.

UEFA Nations League C 08/09/24

Bulgaria

1

Northern Ireland

0

Europe - World Cup Qualifying 12/10/21

Bulgaria

2

Northern Ireland

1

Europe - World Cup Qualifying 31/03/21

Northern Ireland

0

Bulgaria

0

Northern Ireland preview: Hosts could stick with 3-5-2

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill switched things up tactically against Belarus and reverted back to 3-5-2 formation. Callum Marshall and Jamie Reid were paired up front in that clash and the Green and White Army could use the same system here.

Predicted lineup: Charles (GK), Toal, McNair, Hume, Bradley, Price, Charles, Saville, Lewis, Reid, Marshall

International Match 25/03/25

L

Sweden

5

Northern Ireland

1

International Match 21/03/25

D

Switzerland

1

Northern Ireland

1

UEFA Nations League C 18/11/24

D

Luxembourg

2

Northern Ireland

2

UEFA Nations League C 15/11/24

W

Belarus

0

Northern Ireland

2

UEFA Nations League C 15/10/24

W

Bulgaria

0

Northern Ireland

5

Bulgaria preview: Visitors could be unchanged

Bulgaria were held to a 0-0 draw by Luxembourg at the weekend in an ill-tempered clash that featured 11 yellow cards. Head Coach Ilian Iliev is unlikely to make many changes to his XI for Tuesday's trip to Windsor Park.

Predicted lineup: Mitov (GK), Popov, Atanasov, Petkov, Nurnberger, Kostadinov, Antov, Despodov, Krastev, Kirilov, Kolev

UEFA Nations League 23/03/25

L

Rep of Ireland

2

Bulgaria

1

UEFA Nations League 20/03/25

L

Rep of Ireland

2

Bulgaria

1

UEFA Nations League C 18/11/24

D

Belarus

1

Bulgaria

1

UEFA Nations League C 15/11/24

W

Luxembourg

0

Bulgaria

1

UEFA Nations League C 15/10/24

L

Northern Ireland

5

Bulgaria

0

Player to watch – Kiril Despodov

Kiril Despodov was Bulgaria’s match-winner in their narrow 1-0 win over Northern Ireland last month and the wide attacker could be just as threatening in Tuesday’s rematch between the teams.

Despodov provides quality on the flank

Despodov has scored four times in his last seven appearances for Bulgaria and the 27-year-old is something of a talismanic presence for his country. Northern Ireland will have to watch him closely at Windsor Park.