The Republic of Ireland travel to Stadion Hristo Botev on Thursday to take on Bulgaria in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League clash, and the visitors will hope to avoid relegation to League C.
The hosts finished second in their League C group with nine points from six games, whereas Ireland finished second last in third place in their League B group with six points from their six fixtures in the competition.
Match preview
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Bulgaria's 1-1 draw with Belarus in their final group game on November 18 was enough to pip their opponents to second place, and they should be credited for preventing Belarus from creating any big chances.
In fact, while the home side did concede six goals in the group stage, they kept four clean sheets, and five of the six goals they conceded came in a 5-0 defeat against Northern Ireland on October 15.
Boss Ilian Iliev has been in charge for 12 games and his side have only conceded more than one goal once in their last 10 matches, though they only found the back of the net six times in that period.
The Lions' form has been mixed considering they have drawn two, lost one and won one of their last five, and they were also held to stalemates in their prior four.
Bulgaria's record at home has not been particularly strong, with the team failing to win nine of their 11 most recent matches at Stadion Hristo Botev, losing on four occasions.
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Opponents Ireland were beaten 5-0 by fierce rivals England in their final Nations League game in the group phase on November 17, though it should be noted that the score was 0-0 when Liam Scales was sent off in the 51st minute.
The Boys in Green conceded 12 goals in the group stage and only scored three times, and they have not found the back of the net in seven of their past 10.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson's side have taken on Bulgaria three times and are undefeated, emerging victorious in a 2019 friendly while drawing twice in the Nations League in 2020.
Ireland have lost seven and drawn two of their last 12, but it should be noted that they have triumphed in two of their four most recent outings.
The visitors' performances on the road have been concerning given they have been defeated in six of their last eight away from home.
Team News
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Bulgaria could start a similar XI to the team that drew with Belarus, so perhaps shot-stopper Dimitar Mitov will be shielded by Simeon Petrov and Alex Petkov.
Forwards Marin Petkov, Aleksander Kolev and Radoslav Kirilov could be supported by midfielders Vasil Panayotov, Andrian Kraev and Georgi Milanov.
As for Ireland, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is certain to appear in goal, and he may be protected by centre-backs Nathan Collins and Dara O'Shea.
In midfield, Josh Cullen and Jason Knight appeared together during their side's 2-1 win against Finland on November 14, and they could start again on Thursday.
Bulgaria possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Popov, S Petrov, A Petkov, Nurnberger; Panayotov, Kraev, Milanov; M Petkov, Kolev, Kirilov
Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, O'Shea, Brady; Moran, Cullen, Knight, Johnston; Parrott, Ferguson
We say: Bulgaria 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Bulgaria will hope to make the most of their home advantage, but they have struggled for goals in recent matches.
Though Ireland's form has been poor for some time, they will take confidence from their hosts' subpar record at Stadion Hristo Botev.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
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