Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League C betting tips on match 2024-09-07 16:00.
[p]There’s no doubt manager Ilian Iliev has had a transformational impact on Bulgaria as when he joined they were on a four-game losing run, but are now seven games unbeaten under his tutelage (W1, D6). So many draws take the shine off that record somewhat, although it should be noted four of them came against opponents that feature higher in FIFA’s rankings than themselves. [/p]
[p]The team ranked 82nd in FIFA’s rankings face a similar test in their upcoming UEFA Nations League (UNL) fixture when they take on #74 ranked Northern Ireland, and they’ll be glad to be at home at the Stadion Hristo Botev after beginning their UNL C3 campaign with a 0-0 draw against Belarus last time out. Despite being ranked as a weaker side, the Lions may be confident of getting back in the win column as they can lean on their proud history of beating the Northern Irish in four of their five encounters this century (D1).[/p]
[p]But extending that run will be challenging considering the visitors should travel with an air of confidence after starting their UNL campaign with a 2-0 win over Luxembourg, a side ranked just two spots below their hosts. That performance came just days after 107-cap veteran Jonny Evans announced his retirement from the international scene, but only seemed to spur on the Northern Ireland backline who kept their first-ever UNL clean sheet at home. [/p]
[p]That offers Michael O’Neill’s men a platform to take charge of Group C3 here, although their travelling fans surely won’t be overconfident given that was only their second-ever win in the UNL (D4, L11). The Green and White Army will be looking to capitalise on their fine form of winning four of their last six matches (D1, L1), with that lone defeat coming against recently crowned European Champions Spain. [/p]
[p]Key battle: Bulgaria’s Aleksandar Kolev is yet to score his first national goal, but is in good form with two domestic goals already this season, while half of his last eight club goals came within the opening 15 minutes. Exciting Liverpool defender Conor Bradley will be out to keep him quiet and he’s helped Northern Ireland keep three clean sheets in their last four games, while finding the net three times himself. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: There have been more than two match goals scored in only four of Bulgaria’s last 18 matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]