Bulgaria vs Republic of Ireland Predictions & Tips - UNL Play-Off Draw Anticipated

Alex Waite

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Last updated: 19 Mar 2025

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Alex Waite 19 Mar 2025

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A draw is expected between Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland
The Lions have drawn 2 consecutive Nations League home games
Will these sides share the spoils in the UNL play-off first leg?

Republic of Ireland are winless in 9 of their last 12 matches (Getty)

Bulgaria vs Republic of Ireland Preview

Bulgaria are the European draw specialists, with eight stalemates in their previous 11. The Republic of Ireland will want to tighten up after a disappointing Group B2 campaign and a draw is likely here.

Bulgaria vs Republic of Ireland Preview
Stats
HTH
Last 5 Meetings
Bulgaria Form
Bulgaria Injuries & Team News
Republic of Ireland Form
Republic of Ireland Injuries & Team News

Stats

Bulgaria have drawn 2 consecutive home games.
Bulgaria have drawn 1-1 in their last 2 at home against Republic of Ireland.
Republic of Ireland are winless in 9 of their last 12 matches.

HTH

Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland have won three matches each and drawn six in 12 meetings.

Last 5 Meetings

Competition	Date	Home	Score	Away
Nations League	18.11.2020	Bulgaria	0-0	Republic of Ireland
Nations League	3.09.2020	Republic of Ireland	1-1	Bulgaria
Friendly	10.09.2019	Bulgaria	3-1	Republic of Ireland
World Cup Qualifier	6.06.2009	Republic of Ireland	1-1	Bulgaria
World Cup Qualifier	28.03.2009	Bulgaria	1-1	Republic of Ireland

Bulgaria Form

Bulgaria had a strong Nations League Group C3 campaign and lost just one of their six fixtures. The Balkans side drew three matches in the group and finished second behind Northern Ireland.

The Lions were unbeaten in their first three Nations League games, drawing two and winning once. A 5-0 loss in Northern Ireland came next before a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg.

Ilian Iliev’s team secured second place with a final match 1-1 draw at home against Belarus. Vasil Panayotov scored after 12 minutes and Bulgaria conceded the equaliser mid-way through the second half.

Bulgaria Injuries & Team News

Bulgaria have no injuries or suspensions.

Captain Kiril Despodov has scored 15 goals in 54 internationals and is likely to start.

Goalkeepers: Plamen Iliev, Dimitar Mitov, Dimitar Sheytanov

Defenders: Valentin Antov, Anton Nedyalkov, Viktor Popov, Aleks Petkov, Simeon Petrov, Fabian Nürnberger, Hristiyan Petrov, Nikolay Minkov

Midfielders: Georgi Milanov, Filip Krastev, Ilia Gruev, Ilian Iliev Jr., Marin Petkov, Andrian Kraev, Vasil Panayotov, Stanislav Shopov, Kristiyan Stoyanov

Forwards: Kiril Despodov, Bozhidar Kraev, Radoslav Kirilov, Lukas Petkov, Stanislav Ivanov, Vladimir Nikolov

Republic of Ireland Form

Republic of Ireland had an inconsistent Nations League Group B2 campaign and finished third. The Boys in Green won just two matches and lost four.

Their only points came from a pair of wins against Finald, 2-1 and 1-0. Those victories came either side of a 2-0 defeat in Greece.

Ireland ended the group stage with a 5-0 thrashing against England away. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side conceded five second-half goals after Liam Scales was sent off.

Republic of Ireland Injuries & Team News

Republic of Ireland have no injuries or suspensions.

Striker Troy Parrott has scored 16 goals for club side AZ Alkmaar this season. He is expected to lead the line.

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu, Caoimhín Kelleher, Mark Travers

Defenders: Robbie Brady, Matt Doherty, Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins, Ryan Manning

Jake O'Brien, James Abankwah, Jimmy Dunne

Midfielders: Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Mark Sykes, Finn Azaz, Andrew Moran, Jack Taylor

Forwards: Adam Idah, Troy Parrott, Evan Ferguson, Mikey Johnston, Sinclair Armstrong

Verdict

Bulgaria v Rep of Ireland

Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland don’t win many games and the nations are evenly matched. The Lions record a lot of home draws and another stalemate is tipped in the Nations League.

Draw

Full Time Result

@11/5 - 3 Units

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1-1 Draw

Correct Score

@21/4 - 1 Unit

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