'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Bulgaria will face Northern Ireland at the Stadion Hristo Botev on Sunday in the another round of their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign. The home side have had their struggles in recent years although they remain unbeaten under head coach Ilian Iliev and are now on the hunt for their first Nations League win.
They played out a goalless draw against Belarus in their group opener on Thursday and perhaps deserved more from the game but could not find a way past Fedor Lapoukhov in the opposition goal.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, kicked off their continental campaign on a positive note as they beat Luxembourg 2-0 on Thursday. Returning to Windsor Park for the first time since last November, the North Iron began the game on the front foot and were rewarded for their efforts after just 11 minutes, with Paddy McNair scoring his first international goal since 2022 before Daniel Ballard doubled their advantage minutes later.
The visitors now sit atop Group 3 with three points from an obtainable three and will be looking to add to that tally come Sunday.
Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Sunday's game will mark the 10th meeting between Bulgaria and Northern Ireland. The home side have won five of their previous matchups while the visitors have won twice. There have been two draws between the two teams.
- The two teams last faced off in a World Cup qualifying clash back in October 2021 which the hosts won 2-1.
- The home side are undefeated in their last five games in this fixture, a run stretching back to 2001.
- Northern Ireland were ranked 74th in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit eight places above their weekend opponents.
Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland Prediction
Bulgaria are on a run of four consecutive draws and have won just one of their last 16 games across all competitions. They are without a win in their last five games on home soil and could struggle here.
Northern Ireland are on a run of back-to-back victories and have lost just one of their last six matches. They are in much better form than their opponents and should come out on top here.
Prediction: Bulgaria 0-1 Northern Ireland
Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Northern Ireland to win
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Under 2.5 goals (Six of the last eight matches between the two teams have produced fewer than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: NO (Both sides have found the back of the net in just two of their last nine matchups)
