Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland Prediction: McNair to scare hosts in Plovdiv

Northern Ireland got their Nations League campaign off to a perfect start against Luxembourg on Thursday night and the Green and White Army will be hoping to go two for two when they take on Bulgaria in Plovdiv on Sunday (17:00).

Below you can find my Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland prediction, as well as all the latest team news and match odds ahead of this Group C3 encounter at Stadion Hristo Botev.

Michael O’Neill’s men defeated Luxembourg 2-0 at Windsor Park - despite allowing the visitors 60% possession - with central defenders Paddy McNair and Daniel Ballard both getting on the scoresheet.

Hosts Bulgaria managed to take home a point from their Group C3 game with Belarus on Thursday and will be aiming to claim what will only be their second victory since the start of 2023.

Team News

Bulgaria’s point from their 0-0 with Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary on Thursday night came at a cost as midfielder Filip Krastev was given his marching orders for two bookable offences.

This suspension will likely see Vasil Panayotov start in the middle of midfield, while captain and current squad top scorer Kiril Despodov should be included from the off on the wing.

Football Odds

O’Neill is expected to make several changes to the starting eleven as his side looked fatigued early on in their victory over Luxembourg.

The likes of Ross McCausland, Paul Smyth and Josh Magennis could start for Norn Iron after making substitute appearances last time out, while McNair will be hoping to make his 70th international appearance this weekend.

Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Bulgaria vs Northern Ireland page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Bulgaria are the slight favourites to claim victory in this encounter at 7/5 whereas the visitors are 15/8 to take home all three points from Plovdiv.

The draw provides odds of 21/10 while Northern Ireland’s Dion Charles is the likeliest anytime goalscorer at 5/2.

Northern Ireland to win and under 2.5 goals @ 4/1

Northern Ireland are on a decent run of form, having won three of their last four matches and losing just one of their last six, and they could prove too strong for a Bulgaria side struggling for victories.

While the Lions are unbeaten across their last seven, they have registered just one victory during that run, against minnows Tanzania, and have won only one of their last eight at home. With the hosts failing to make home advantage count, back the visitors to prevail.

Recent home internationals for Bulgaria have rarely provided a flurry of goals and another low-scoring affair could be expected this weekend.

Only two of Bulgaria’s last eight home matches have seen at least three goals scored while the visitors have not scored more than once on the road in any of their last five and so only a handful of chances may be taken on Sunday.

Anytime Scorer - Paddy McNair @ 8/1

The pair’s issues in front of goal mean set-pieces could be crucial and McNair may mark his special evening with another strike.

His early poke home from a corner settled his side down before Ballard flicked in from a low free-kick.

Similar situations could prove fruitful for the visitors and McNair may pop up with another strike.

Offers

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