Europe - UEFA Nations League
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by Daniel Ngulu | in UEFA Nations League Predictions
Bulgaria will go head-to-head with Ireland in a two-legged UEFA Nations League playoff tie that looks to be a tight contest. The first leg of this tie will be hosted in Bulgaria as the two sides go on the chase for a League B slot. We have the preview below, and an offer of two predictions for this match.
In League B last season, Ireland finished third in Group B2. They thus set up this clash with Bulgaria who were second placed finishers in Group 2 of League C. These two nations’ recent outings have been marked by inconsistency.
Bulgaria, for example, had a number of solid defensive displays, including a 1-0 home win over Northern Ireland. Then on their away trip to Belfast, they were thrashed 5-0. Ireland also tasted the same medicine, in their final group match, as they were drubbed 5-0 by England. Over the next two matches, either side will be keen to avoid such pitfalls.
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The Best Betting Odds for Bulgaria v Ireland Match
Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
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3.4 | 3 | 2.3 |
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3.2 | 3 | 2.3 |
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3.25 | 3.1 | 2.3 |
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3.58 | 3.13 | 2.4 |
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3.58 | 3.13 | 2.4 |
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What is the prediction for the football match between Bulgaria and Ireland?
Our prediction for the Bulgaria vs Ireland match is: draw.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 20/03/2025 between Bulgaria and Ireland in UEFA Nations League :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 40.78% for a win of Bulgaria against Ireland with odds of 3.58 at 1xbet.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between Bulgaria vs Ireland is 33.07% with odds of 3.13 at 1xbet.
- Our prediction model gives a 26.15% chance ⭐ for a win of Ireland vs Bulgaria with odds of 2.5 at Betfair.
Bulgaria vs Ireland Form
Bulgaria and Ireland Last Matches

2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
18 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
15 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
15 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
12 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
8 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
5 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
18 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
12 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
8 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
22 Mar 2024 - International Friendlies
16 Nov 2023 - Euro
14 Oct 2023 - Euro
1/6 (17%)
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
15 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
15 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
5 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
8 Jun 2024 - International Friendlies
4 Jun 2024 - International Friendlies
25 Mar 2024 - International Friendlies

2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
4/6 (67%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
17 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
14 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
13 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
10 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
10 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
7 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
14 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
10 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
7 Sep 2024 - UEFA Nations League
4 Jun 2024 - International Friendlies
26 Mar 2024 - International Friendlies
23 Mar 2024 - International Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
4/6 (67%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
17 Nov 2024 - UEFA Nations League
13 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
10 Oct 2024 - UEFA Nations League
11 Jun 2024 - International Friendlies
18 Nov 2023 - Euro
16 Oct 2023 - Euro
Bulgaria vs Ireland Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
0 %
100 %
0 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
18 Nov 2020 - UEFA Nations League
3 Sep 2020 - UEFA Nations League
Bulgaria - Ireland: Form Analysis
Hosts Bulgaria will feel confident about this game, as they have only lost once in the last 12 matches. That was their 5-0 away defeat by Northern Ireland. However, the hosts haven't won a lot of their recent matches.
In their last 21 matches they only posted three wins. The Lions closed the year 2024 with a 1-1 draw at home to Belarus. That saw them finish second, above Belarus and Luxembourg.
Five of six meetings between these two ended in draws.
The Republic of Ireland will be hard pressed for an away result before completing the job at home. They come here with the poorer run of form and to get anything from this match they must improve on a run that reads just four wins in the last 19 matches.
The ending of 2024 was not one to look back to, as they lost 5-0 to England. In seven of the last 10 matches, Ireland failed to score.
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Bulgaria vs Ireland last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 1 - 4 - 1
Formation : 5 - 3 - 2
Bulgaria & Ireland Squad Analysis
For the home side, considerable hope will be on Levski Sofia forward Marin Petkov going into this game. The striker is yet to open his account in the Nations League and he comes into the game eager to build on his domestic form.
Petkov has only played 89 minutes in the Nations League and in the process he attempted two shots, both which ended on target. His xG of 0.05 needs to be worked on as well.
William Smallbone is nursing a groin injury and misses this game.
At the Republic of Ireland, there will be a lot of hopes placed on Troy Parrott’s youthful shoulders after his strong run in the Eredivisie with AZ Alkmaar.
It is getting to three years since the youngster last scored competitively for Ireland. That was in a 3-0 win over Scotland in the Nations League.
With 12 goals for his club, Parrott will definitely feel he is due a goal for the national team. The forward featured in just 132 minutes in the group stage and took three shots. His xG of 0.12 will call for a better work rate.
Most goals and assists












Bulgaria and Ireland Stats in UEFA Nations League


Bulgaria - Ireland Key Points
- Bulgaria have one win in their last four matches.
- Ireland have three wins only in the last 12 matches.
- Ireland failed to win in four of their last five away games.
- Three of Bulgaria’s last four home matches ended in draws.
- The last six meetings between these nations ended in draws.
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Our Bulgaria vs Ireland Prediction
These two nations are struggling to find any good rhythm, at least as per their numbers in November. This will be another game they’ll both want to wear out each other and steal a win. However, wins have been scarce and even five of their last six meetings produced draws.
As both teams have struggled to post wins, it is becoming very clear that it is down to a lack of goals. There might not be a quick fix for this as both teams’ forwards are struggling with the national teams. Our prediction for Bulgari v Republic of Ireland is a draw.
Bulgaria vs Ireland - Other Interesting Predictions
Under 2.5 goals
Six of the last seven meetings between these nations ended in under 2.5 goals. That is despite only one of the seven matches failing to see goals registered on either end. Apart from their head-to-head meetups, as the two sides are struggling in attack, our second prediction will be for the game to have under 2.5 goals.
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Bulgaria vs Ireland match : Frequently asked questions
The Bulgaria v Ireland match will be played on Thursday 20th March.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.

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