We have a Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland prediction for you plus a breakdown of the betting odds, team news and matchups ahead of this Nations League relegation/playoff.
Bulgaria have the chance of promotion to League B following their second-placed finish behind Northern Ireland in Group 3 of League C.
The Republic of Ireland face the prospect of relegation to League C after finishing third in Group 2 of League B behind both England and Greece.
How To Watch Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland
When is Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland?
Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland will take place on Thursday at 7.45 pm.
TV Channel
RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player
Where is Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland Being Played?
Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland Odds – Nations League
Team | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Bulgaria | 11/5 | 31.3% |
Republic of Ireland | 13/10 | 43.5% |
Draw | 15/8 | 34.8% |
Ahead of this fixture, Bulgaria are priced at odds of 11/5 to get the win at home in the first leg.
Bulgaria to win – 11/5
The Republic of Ireland are 13/10 favourites to earn an away victory, and the draw is currently priced at 15/8.
Ireland to win – 13/10
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Handicap Betting
Bulgaria: +1 @ 6/10
Republic of Ireland: -1 @ 4/1
Handicap Draw: +1 @ 11/4
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Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland Preview
Bulgaria’s Form
Bulgaria are managed by Ilian Iliev who represented his country from 1991-2000 thirty-four times scoring three goals. He was appointed as the Bulgarian manager on the 1st of November in 2023 after a thirteen-year coaching career in their Domestic Leagues. Since being appointed he has a record of two wins, five draws and one loss from eight games.
For a nation which reached the Round of 16 in the 1986 World Cup and finished 4th in the 1994 World Cup. In recent decades they’ve performed poorly on the international stage, not appearing at a World Cup since their 1998 Group Stage finish and at a European Championship since their 2004 Group Stage finish.
Bulgaria have only one defeat in their last ten matches but that was a 5-0 defeat against Northern Ireland with most of their games coming against relatively poor opponents.
Bulgaria’s Last Five Results
Bulgaria 1-1 Belarus | November 18th | Draw
Luxembourg 0-1 Bulgaria | November 15th | Win
Northern Ireland 5-0 Bulgaria | October 15th | Loss
Bulgaria 0-0 Luxembourg | October 12th | Draw
Bulgaria 1-0 Northern Ireland | September 8th | Win
2 Wins, 2 Draws and 1 Loss
Republic of Ireland’s Form
Irish Football has been in the doldrums for close to a decade, but with every new appointment comes a renewed sense of optimism that this time might be different. That’s what Heimir Hallgrímsson will be hoping to achieve with Ireland and replicate his past heroics coaching Iceland. Though his start has been difficult with a record of two wins and four defeats from his opening six matches in charge.
There’s always been a hotbed of debate when regarding all aspects of Irish Football but what used to happen was whispers in the shadows for fears of what could come publicly if the wrong comments were made by the wrong person. However, with the heightened importance of the League of Ireland and Irish Domestic Football along with the voices from inside the league like Damien Duff, Stephen Bradley and Stephen Kenny those critics have become tectonic echoes. Heimir to his credit has managed the situation well though even if it wasn’t something he initially signed up to do.
There is a freshness about this squad with twelve names changed since the November squad. There’s still plenty of continuity though and Heimir will be afforded no chances this time around the task will be simple, avoid relegation from League B or face further public outcry.
Republic of Ireland’s Last Five Results
England 5-0 Republic of Ireland | November 17th | Loss
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Finland | November 14th | Win
Greece 2-0 Republic of Ireland | October 13th | Loss
Finland 1-2 Republic of Ireland | October 10th | Win
Republic of Ireland 0-2 Greece | September 10th | Loss
2 Wins and 3 Losses
Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland Predicted Lineups
Bulgaria Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
GK: Mitov
RB: Popov, CB: Petrov, CB: Petkov, LB: Numberger
DM: Kraev
RM: Plamenov Petkov, CM: Panayotov, CM: Milanov, LM: Kirilov
CF: Despodov
Republic of Ireland Predicted Starting XI (4-4-2)
GK: Kelleher
RB: O’Brien, CB: O’Shea, CB: Collins, LB: Brady
RM: Vata, CM: Cullen, CM: Knight, LM: Johnson
CF: Ferguson, CF: Parrott
Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland Head-To-Head Results & Stats
All-Time Head-To-Head Record
Republic of Ireland wins: 3
Bulgaria wins: 3
Draws: 6
Head-To-Head Last Five Results
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Bulgaria | Nations League | November 18th, 2020
Bulgaria 1-1 Republic of Ireland | Nations League | September 3rd, 2020
Republic of Ireland 3-1 Bulgaria | Friendly | September 10th, 2019
Bulgaria 1-1 Republic of Ireland | World Cup Qualifying | June 6th, 2009
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Bulgaria | Friendly | March 28th, 2009
Key Players To Watch
Kiril Despodov – Bulgaria.
The Bulgarian Captain (27) is one of the few reliable attacking threats in the squad with 15 goals from his 54 caps since debuting for the Bulgarian Senior side in 2017. He plays his club football for PAOK and in 24/25 he has scored 8 goals and assisted 12
Despodov is priced at 7/1 to score the first goal and 10/3 to score at any point in this game.
Kiril Despodov Anytime Goal – 10/3
Rocco Vata – Republic of Ireland.
Exaggerated reports of any International “tug of war” articles were put firmly to bed when Watford winger Rocco Vata (19) was named in the Senior Squad for the first time after representing his country at U15, U17, U18, U19 and U21 levels including scoring six times in seven games for the latter side.
Since escaping the shackles of boyhood club Celtic this summer he’s gone from strength-to-strength with scoring four times and assisting three times for Watford in 1102 minutes, a goal contribution in 0.57 matches. This winger who resembles an Irish version of Bernardo Silva can be gotten at 8/1 to score first and 7/2 to score any time.
Rocco Vata Anytime Goal – 4/1
Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Bulgaria 0-1 Republic of Ireland
Bulgaria have done decently against less-than-decent opposition but their 5-0 defeat to Northern Ireland recently should be the result that gives them alarm bells ahead of this game.
There will be huge pressure on the Republic of Ireland to perform and avoid relegation from League B and though their form has been poor they should be considerably stronger than Bulgaria.
I fancy the away side to do enough in this game, but I can’t see there being a lot of goals.
Best Bet: Republic of Ireland Win + Under 3.5 Goals @ 7/4
Republic of Ireland Win + Under 3.5 Goals – 7/4
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*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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