Bulgaria will take on Spain on Thursday, 4 September, as both nations' World Cup qualifying campaign begins.
With the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico set to take place next summer, European qualifying will be navigated over the next three international breaks, so both sides will be keen for a quick start.
As part of our World Cup qualifying betting tips, check out our Bulgaria vs Spain prediction below.
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Bulgaria vs Spain prediction: The visitors to start in style
Key Stats
- Spain have scored three goals or more in three of their last five matches.
- Bulgaria have conceded eight goals across their last three matches.
- Both teams have scored in each of Spain's last six matches.
Correct score prediction: Bulgaria 1-4 Spain
There are 82 places between these two teams in the FIFA World Rankings, and the result feels like a foregone conclusion already. It's more of a case of just how many will Spain win by on Thursday night, and given how many goals they have scored in recent games, all against teams ranked higher than Bulgaria, four doesn't seem out of the question.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bulgaria given little chance
- HOME: 22/1 (23.00) – 4.3%
- DRAW: 8/1 (9.00) – 11.1%
- AWAY: 1/9 (1.11) – 90%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Bulgaria vs Spain odds prove just how big the gulf in quality is between these two sides, as the bookies are effectively writing the match result off. Ladbrokes have given Bulgaria just a 4.3% chance of winning the match, while Spain are considered to have a 90% chance of starting their qualifying campaign with a win.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A first meeting in 23 years
This is the first time that these two teams have played against each other since 2002, so there isn't anything to gain from looking at the recent H2H record in terms of helping us to predict the outcome of the match. For what it's worth, Spain won their last World Cup match against Bulgaria 6-1.
Bulgaria preview: Pack the defence
Bulgaria manager Ilian Iliev will be well aware of the task in front of his players this week, so he will be doing everything he can to keep Spain at bay for as long as possible. That likely means Bulgaria lining up with five in defence and playing on the edge of their own box. Aleksandar Kolev will be given the thankless task of chasing down long balls up front.
Predicted lineup: Mitov (GK), Minkov, Dimitrov, Petkov, Nedyalkov, Nurnberger, Despodov, Shopov, Gruev, Milanov, Kolev
Last five matches
- Greece 4-0 Bulgaria
- Bulgaria 2-2 Cyprus
- Ireland 2-1 Bulgaria
- Bulgaria 1-2 Ireland
- Bulgaria 1-1 Belarus
Spain preview: Several absentees
Spain have had several players withdraw from their squad for this camp, with Gavi, Fabian Ruiz and Yeremy Pino all returning to their clubs in the last week. As a result, a couple of players could get their chance to force their way into De la Fuente's plans, including Aleix Garcia and Jorge de Frutos.
Predicted lineup: Simon (GK), Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella, Zubimendi, Pedri, Olmo, Yamal, Williams, Oyarzabal
Last five matches
- Portugal 2-2 Spain
- Spain 5-4 France
- Spain 4-3 Netherlands
- Netherlands 2-2 Spain
- Spain 3-2 Switzerland
Player to watch: Lamine Yamal
It's impossible not to think about Lamine Yamal whenever he is set to play, and that's the case again this week with the Barcelona winger expected to line up for his country against Bulgaria. Yamal has started the season in excellent form, scoring twice and creating two more in three appearances for Barcelona. Can he bring that form into the international scene?