Republic of Ireland vs Bulgaria Predictions & Tips - Nations League Home Win the Best Bet

Alex Waite

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Last updated: 21 Mar 2025

Alex Waite 21 Mar 2025

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The Republic of Ireland can defeat Bulgaria in the Nations League
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s team have won 2 of their last 3 games
Can the Boys in Green win and remain in the UNL B tier?

Expired

Republic of Ireland have won 2 of their last 4 against Bulgaria (Getty)

Republic of Ireland vs Bulgaria Preview

The Republic of Ireland are improving steadily under Heimir Hallgrímsson and Bulgaria rarely win. A home win is tipped in this Nations League play-off second-leg clash.

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

Stats

Republic of Ireland have won 2 of their last 3 games.
Republic of Ireland have won 2 of their last 4 against Bulgaria.
Bulgaria have lost 2 of their previous 4 matches.

HTH

The Republic of Ireland have a 4-3 advantage against Bulgaria in 13 meetings with six draws.

Last 5 Meetings

Competition	Date	Home	Score	Away
Nations League	20.03.2025	Bulgaria	1-2	Republic of Ireland
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

Republic of Ireland Form

After losing their opening two Group B2 Nations League games, Ireland have hit back with solid form. The Boys in Green have won three of their previous five games.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s outfit beat Finland 2-1 and 1-0 either side of a 2-0 defeat to Greece. Ireland ended their group-stage campaign with a 5-0 loss in England.

The Boys in Green responded with a 2-1 comeback win in Bulgaria in the Nations League play-off. Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty struck in reply to Bulgari’s opener and Ireland controlled the contest with 12-7 shots.

Republic of Ireland Injuries & Team News

Ireland have no injuries or suspensions here.

Defender Matt Doherty is likely to start and make his 50th international appearance.

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

Bulgaria Form

Bulgaria have struggled for momentum in the 2024/25 Nations League. The Balkans side are winless in five of their previous seven matches.

The Lions lost 5-0 in Northern Ireland, beat Luxembourg 1-0 and drew 1-1 against Belarus to end their Group C3 campaign.

Ilian Iliev’s side then fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Ireland in the play-off first-leg. Marin Petkov struck after just six minutes and Bulgaria conceded twice before half time.

Bulgaria Injuries & Team News

Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov came off injured in the first leg and is set to miss out here.

Marin Petkov scored his fourth goal in six appearances for club and country on Thursday. The midfielder is expected to start again in Dublin.

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

Verdict

Rep of Ireland v Bulgaria

The Republic of Ireland put in a strong performance in Bulgaria on Thursday. Hallgrímsson’s side have momentum and will be confident of winning again in Dublin for this UNL play-off second leg.

Republic of Ireland

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