Bulgaria host Northern Ireland in their second League C match of 2024-25 UEFA Nations League.
Victory would see Bulgaria go top of League C3 if Belarus fail to beat Luxembourg, whilst Northern Ireland can stay top with a win.
Team News
Bulgaria have no fresh injury concerns to report after their goalless draw against Belarus, although midfielder – Svetoslav Kovachev missed that game due to injury and will too miss this game.
Northern Ireland have no fresh injury issues after their win over Luxembourg.
When is Kick-Off?
Bulgaria host Northern Ireland on Sunday 7 September at Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv, at 5pm BST, live on ITVX in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Bulgaria’s first Nations League match against Northern Ireland.
- Northern Ireland have won one of four previous visits to Bulgaria in all competitions (W1, L3).
- Bulgaria have scored and conceded six goals apiece in their last three meetings at home to Northern Ireland.
- Bulgaria are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions (W1, D6).
- Northern Ireland are looking to win three consecutive matches for the first time since a five-match streak from March – September 2019.
Prediction
Although wins have been difficult to achieve since November 2022, Bulgaria certainly can’t be underestimated because they do look a well-drilled team who can dig deep when needed.
Northern Ireland meanwhile were simply clinical yet defensively robust in their home win over Luxembourg, so I would like to see more of that here but they will need to be wary of Bulgaria’s unity and show patience if need to break them down.
This clash therefore does feel destined to be scrappy and a draw might be the fairest outcome.
Prediction: Bulgaria 1-1 Northern Ireland
Result: Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland