Bulgaria host Republic of Ireland in the first leg of their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League B/C promotion-relegation play-off.
Bulgaria qualified for this stage by finishing runner-up in their League C group, whilst Ireland finished third in their League B group.
Team News
Bulgaria will be without defender, Kristian Dimitrov after he withdrew from the squad due to injury.
Ireland will be without midfielder, Will Smallbone due to a groin injury but his Southampton teammate, Ryan Manning has been called up in his place.
Callum O’Dowda (knock) also misses out.
When is Kick-Off?
Bulgaria host Ireland at Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv, on Thursday 20 March at 9:45pm local time (7:45pm UK Time), live on Amazon in the UK at a pay-per-view cost of £2.49 per customer.
Stat Attack
- Bulgaria drew each of their two previous Nations League meetings against Ireland (D2).
- Ireland drew 1-1 in their only previous Nations League trip to Bulgaria in September 2020 (D1).
- Bulgaria are winless in their last seven meetings against Ireland in all competitions (D5, L2).
- Bulgaria are unbeaten in their last four home games across all competitions (W1, D3).
- Ireland have won one of their last five away games in all competitions (W1, L4).
Prediction
Despite finishing runner-up to Northern Ireland in their League C group, Bulgaria only managed three goals so they will need to find their firepower if want to realistically gain promotion, although their defence is difficult to beat which might be enough to get something in this leg at least.
Ireland though were in a tough League B group and had their goalscoring issues but this is a chance for them to show more of their attacking flair against what looks on paper to be easier opposition, especially if they can find a way to break Bulgaria’s defence down.
Nevertheless this first leg does feel like it could be cagey and a draw wouldn’t be too bad for Ireland who have home advantage in the return leg.
Prediction: Bulgaria 1-1 ROI
