Republic of Ireland vs Bulgaria predictions: Hosts to edge home in Dublin
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- Republic of Ireland won the Nations League relegation play-off first-leg 2-1 in Plovdiv
- Bulgaria need third win in 15 away games to have any chance of avoiding drop to Group C
- Recommended bet: Republic of Ireland to win 1-0
Goals from Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty helped the Republic of Ireland claim a 2-1 lead from the first leg of their Nations League relegation play-off against Bulgaria.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side dug in to secure their third win in five games and will hope to secure their Group B status before beginning their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Team news
There looks a strong chance that the Boys in Green will be unchanged from the side that won on Thursday, although veteran wing-back Robbie Brady suffered a facial injury in the first leg and is set to be assessed.
The Bulgarians’ chief worry is in goal after Aberdeen’s Dimitar Mitov was replaced at half-time in Plovdiv with a shoulder injury.
Plamen Iliev came off the bench to replace him and he may have got the nod for Saturday’s return fixture anyway after manager Ilian Iliev criticised Mitov for both of the Irish goals.
The stats
Bulgaria have scored more than one goal in just two of their last 37 away matches, while four of the visitors’ last 17 games on the road have featured fewer than three goals.
Seven of the Republic of Ireland’s last eight matches have featured two or fewer goals and both teams have scored in just three of their last 11 games at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland have scored more than once in just one of their last nine home matches.
Prediction
Much more important business is around the corner for both the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria as they embark on their World Cup qualification campaigns in September, but avoiding the drop into Group C of the Nations League would be a boost to Ireland after they won Thursday’s first leg on Thursday.
The Boys in Green needed a lift after a 5-0 defeat at Wembley against England in the Nations League group stage and they look to be playing Bulgaria at the right time.
Manager Ilian Iliev had been rumoured to be on the verge of resigning before this week’s first leg and the 2-1 loss will have done little to lift his mood.
It seems unlikely he will be able to inspire his charges into storming back in the tie after they were unable to muster much in attack after going in at the break 2-1 down when they had earned a sixth-minute lead.
Ireland are looking stronger under Heimir Hallgrimsson and they can hold form, but this looks likely to be a game that features few goals.
Therefore, Ireland can replicate the 1-0 success they posted against Finland the last time they were on their own patch..
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