Bulgaria welcome Northern Ireland to the Stadion Hristo Botev to contest a Nations League C Group 3 fixture on Sunday, 8 September. Read our Nations League predictions for the clash below.
Contents
- 1 Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland prediction: Margins should be slim in Plovdiv
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts priced as favourites
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: Fixture has a low-scoring history
- 4 Bulgaria preview: Krastev suspended
- 5 Northern Ireland preview: Trio of defenders absent
- 6 Player to watch – Conor Bradley
Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland prediction: Margins should be slim in Plovdiv
Key Stats
- 100% of Bulgaria’s last five assignments have featured under 2.5 goals.
- Five of Northern Ireland’s last six game have produced two or fewer goals.
- Two of Bulgaria’s last three matches finished 0-0.
- Bulgaria picked up four cards in the 0-0 draw at Belarus in midweek.
Correct score prediction: Bulgaria 0-0 Northern Ireland
Bulgaria are achingly short on cutting edge in the final third and they drew 0-0 for the second time in three assignments when they visited Belarus in midweek. Northern Ireland meanwhile, failed to score in three of their last four meetings with the Bulgarians, so don’t expect fireworks here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Hosts priced as favourites
- HOME: 29/20 (2.45) – 40.8%
- DRAW: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- AWAY: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Northern Ireland collected three points in midweek when they opened their Nations League account with a 2-0 win over Luxembourg, though the 15/8 underdogs might find the going tougher in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria held on with ten men to claim a share of the spoils at Belarus in midweek. That was their fourth draw on the spin and you can back the same outcome at 9/4 on Sunday. View more of our latest football tips for the weekend’s action on our dedicated page.
Most recent H2Hs: Fixture has a low-scoring history
Bulgaria won their last encounter with Northern Ireland 2-1 back in October 2021. That was the first time in four meetings between the nations where over 2.5 goals landed, however.
Stats to follow…
Bulgaria preview: Krastev suspended
Filip Krastev was sent off for two bookable offences against Belarus this week and will miss Sunday's game through suspension as a result. Kiril Despodov, Radoslav Kirilov and Aleksandar Kolev mustered ten shots between them in midweek and could offer a threat against Northern Ireland.
Predicted lineup: Mitov (GK), Popov, Atansov, Petkov, Nurnberger, Antov, Gruev, Despodov, Ahmedov, Kirilov, Kolev
UEFA Nations League C 08/09/24
W
Northern Ireland
0
Bulgaria
1
UEFA Nations League C 05/09/24
D
Belarus
0
Bulgaria
0
International Match 08/06/24
D
Slovenia
1
Bulgaria
1
International Match 04/06/24
D
Romania
0
Bulgaria
0
International Match 25/03/24
D
Azerbaijan
1
Bulgaria
1
Northern Ireland preview: Trio of defenders absent
Northern Ireland produced a convincing performance to beat Luxembourg 2-0 at Windsor Park in midweek. Goals from Paddy McNair and Dan Ballard inside 20 minutes to put Northern Ireland in total command. Manager Michael O'Neill isn't likely to make many changes to a winning team this weekend.
Predicted lineup: Peacock-Farrell (GK), Ballard, McNair, Brown, Bradley, S. Charles, Saville, Hume, Price, Marshall, D. Charles
UEFA Nations League C 08/09/24
L
Bulgaria
1
Northern Ireland
0
UEFA Nations League C 05/09/24
W
Luxembourg
0
Northern Ireland
2
International Match 11/06/24
W
Andorra
0
Northern Ireland
2
International Match 08/06/24
L
Spain
5
Northern Ireland
1
Others 30/04/24
D
Wales
0
Northern Ireland
0
Player to watch – Conor Bradley
Flying wingback Conor Bradley was in superb fettle for Northern Ireland in midweek and in a squad low on star quality, the Liverpool youngster has the potential to be an elite performer for his country.
Bradley will be key again
Bradley had three shots against Luxembourg in midweek, made two interceptions and completed two tackles during an all-action display on the flank and the 21-year-old should have another big say in how Sunday’s game against Bulgaria develops.
