Still in the running to secure direct promotion to the UEFA Nations League, Northern Ireland will look to kick-start their campaign when Bulgaria travel to Belfast on Tuesday.
Despite not winning since the opening match, the home team is only one point behind the leaders in Group C Group 3, while the away team is also in a good position to take the top spot.
Latest Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria team information
Following injuries to goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard, manager Michael O'Neill handed his debut to 19-year-old Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend. Charles is expected to continue, while his brother, Shea Charles, is expected to start in midfield.
ADO Den Haag striker Lee Bonis also made his debut as a substitute and will compete with Callum Marshall and Jamie Reid, who are back from injury. Star Conor Bradley was handed the captain's armband against Belarus, leading the way in tackles, shots and fouls conceded in the Nations League this season.
For Bulgaria, Leeds United midfielder Ilia Gruev is absent due to a serious knee injury, leaving Valentin Antov, Georgi Kostadinov and Ivaylo Chochev to compete for places in the middle of the park in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Captain Kiril Despodov will support Aleksandar Kolev up front, although Kolev is yet to score in nine appearances for the national team. Despodov scored in the first leg and has scored both of Bulgaria's last two Nations League goals.
Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria latest predicted lineup
Northern Ireland:
P. Charles; Hume, McNair, Toal; Bradley, Saville, S. Charles, Price, Lewis; Marshall, Reid
Bulgaria:
Mitov; Popov, Petkov, Atanasov, Nurnberger; Kostadinov, Chochev; Despodov, Krastev, Kirilov; Kolev
Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria latest football prediction
After a goalless draw with Belarus on Saturday night, Northern Ireland were left disappointed at missing out on a win that would have taken them top of Group 3. Despite pressing the goalkeeper and having two goals ruled out (one for offside and one for a foul), Michael O'Neill's side have only scored two in 19 Nations League games and currently sit third.
Returning to Belfast, where they have won their last two games 2-0, Northern Ireland will be hoping to get a win against Bulgaria to extend their winning run at Windsor Park for the first time since 2017. They started their Nations League campaign with a win over Luxembourg but lost 1-0 to Bulgaria in their second game. Since then, Northern Ireland have failed to win in their last six meetings with Bulgaria, with five defeats and a draw.
Bulgaria have kept clean sheets in each of their last three away games in Belfast, conceding just two goals in seven matches this year. They have been solid defensively, with just one goal scored in their last three games, courtesy of Kiril Despodov. Ilian Iliev's side have five points, level with Belarus at the top of the group and eyeing a play-off spot for the 2026 World Cup.
Bulgaria have not lost a game under Iliev, but seven of their nine games have ended in draws. With a low-scoring group, Tuesday night's game is likely to end in a draw, especially as Northern Ireland show signs of improvement but still lack a sharp striker.
Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria score prediction
Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria match:
- Sportsmole: Northern Ireland 1-1 Bulgaria
- WhoScore: Northern Ireland 2-2 Bulgaria
- Our prediction: Northern Ireland 1-1 Bulgaria
When and where to watch Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria live?
To watch the live match between Northern Ireland and Bulgaria in the Nations League at 1:45 a.m. on October 16, viewers can watch on TV360 here, Mytv system here or on online sports channels. Wishing you happy football watching moments.
Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nhan-dinh-du-doan-bac-ireland-vs-bulgaria-tran-hoa-dang-nho-231662.html
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