Bulgaria vs Ireland prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B/C – Relegation betting tips on match 2025-03-19 19:45.
[p]A spot in Division B of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) is up for grabs in this two-legged promotion/relegation play-off tie, with lower-ranked Bulgaria aiming for promotion, while Ireland are attempting to avoid the drop. Bulgaria missed out on top spot and automatic promotion from Group C3 by finishing two points behind Northern Ireland despite losing only once (W2, D3), with a 5-0 drubbing in Belfast Ilian Iliev’s only loss in charge of the Lions since taking over in December 2023 (W3, D6).[/p]
[p]Juggling this role with his responsibilities at club level as Cherno More boss, off-field issues have shrouded Iliev’s time as manager of the national team so far. Having offered his resignation already, his future could now rest on being able to oversee promotion as Bulgaria aim to return to League B of the UNL for the first time since the 2020/21 campaign.[/p]
[p]Opposite number Heimir HallgrĂmsson is also under pressure despite only taking charge of Ireland ahead of the current UNL campaign. His tenure so far has brought just two victories (L4), both against Finland by a one-goal margin, but having lost their other four games in this cycle without scoring, confidence is unlikely to be high ahead of this trip.[/p]
[p]Icelander HallgrĂmsson would relieve a lot of the pressure on him if he can guide Ireland safely through this tie, with the second leg to come in Dublin on Sunday. Any failure to do so would surely spell the end of his tenure as Ireland have been League B ever-presents since the competition’s inception in 2018.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Fabian NĂĽrnberger was booked in all three of the UNL group stage home games he played in for Bulgaria, and is currently serving a five-match suspension at club level for violent conduct! Adam Idah awaits his first away goal for Ireland – each of his last three international strikes came before half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Bulgaria are unbeaten in their five previous home H2Hs against Ireland (W3, D2).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]