Ireland vs Bulgaria Nations League Play-Off Preview, Prediction, Team News & Lineups

Ireland are in pole position to remain in League B ahead of Sunday’s decisive Nations League play-off second leg against Bulgaria at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland vs Bulgaria Preview

Despite going 1-0 down inside the first six minutes in Plovdiv on Thursday, Ireland recovered quickly to take the lead at half-time thanks to a first international goal for Finn Azaz followed by a clever header from Matt Doherty.

Ireland are fighting to stay in League B while Bulgaria are seeking promotion from League C, and it’s the boys in green who hold all the aces going into tonight’s clash in Dublin.

Heimir Hallgrímsson is starting to find a bit of rhythm in the job with Ireland winning three of their last five outings – and according to the best football betting sites the hosts are odds-on to record another.

Ireland dominated affairs in Bulgaria, accumulating an xG of 1.85 to their opponents’ 0.32. Bulgaria are struggling to find the back of the net at the minute, scoring just four in their seven Nations League encounters and drawing blanks in two of three on the road.

Securing their status in League B is vital in terms of momentum and morale for Ireland who after tonight will look ahead to a challenging World Cup qualifying campaign in a group with Denmark/Portugal, Hungary and Armenia.

WATCH: Highlights from Ireland’s 2-1 first leg win over Bulgaria

Ireland Team News

If there are any changes for Ireland tonight, expect them to be minimal as it’s unlikely Hallgrímsson will tamper with a winning formula.

Troy Parrott impressed up front in midweek and while there is plenty of competition in that position from Evan Ferguson and Adam Idah, he should’ve done enough to keep his place.

Doherty is expected to earn a 50th senior cap for his country, continuing an impressive revival to his international career amid greatly improved form at club level for Wolves.

Bulgaria Team News

Bulgaria and Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov was a half-time substitution in the first leg with an injury and backup Plamen Iliev is probable to start.

Outside of that, changes are also bound to be scarce for the visitors.

Ireland vs Bulgaria Confirmed Lineups

Ireland confirmed lineup:

Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, O’Brien, Brady; Johnston, Azaz, Cullen, Knight; Ferguson, Parrott

Bulgaria confirmed lineup:

Iliev; Minkov, Nedyalkov, Petrov, Nurnberger; Antov, Gruev; Despodov, Milanov, Petkov; Kraev

Ireland vs Bulgaria Prediction

The best UK betting sites are siding with Ireland in this match-up and it’s not hard to see why. The hosts boast a wealth of experience and top-level quality in comparison to their opponents.

Ireland aren’t the most reliable side of all-time but they looked a well-oiled unit in the first leg and responded well to an early setback in Bulgaria.

Don’t expect too many goals in this one but it’s safe to assume the boys in green will get the job done and move their focus to qualifying for a first World Cup since 2002.

Ireland to win and under 2.5 goals looks solid value at anything around 2/1.

Prediction: Ireland 1-0 Bulgaria