Bulgaria vs Georgia Prediction: Kvaratskhelia can inspire closing win

Bulgaria and Georgia are already guaranteed to finish in the bottom two places in Group E and appear to be playing for pride only when they clash in Sofia on Tuesday (19:45 GMT). The Georgians won September's reverse fixture in Tbilisi 3-0 and have provided some resistance to Spain and Turkey, though they lost 4-0 to La Roja on Friday.

Bulgaria were going down 2-0 in Turkey at the same time and have only managed one goal in their five qualifiers. Willy Sagnol's visitors can take advantage and finish their qualifying campaign on a high note, as suggested below in my Bulgaria vs Georgia predictions.

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Team News

Home boss Aleksandar Dimitrov could make changes as he looks to develop his side ahead of the start of the 2026/27 Nations League in September of next year.

Even so, Kiril Despodov is expected to keep his place in the forward line.

Football Odds

Striker Georges Mikautadze is the most well-known of Georgia's absentees.

Central defender Saba Goglichidze was withdrawn at half-time against Spain and could be replaced by veteran Guram Kashia.

Bulgaria vs Georgia Odds

Georgia are the 4/7 favourites to secure a first away victory of the campaign and second in succession in Bulgaria after triumphing 5-2 in the Nations League in June 2022.

Lavovete are 5/1, with the draw 3/1 and a repeat 3-0 victory for Georgia 11/1.

Georgia to win to nil @ 13/8

Bulgaria's only goal in qualifying came against Turkey in October, Radoslav Kirilov equalising Arda Guler's opener before the Crescent-Stars took the Bulgarians to task in a 6-1 win.

Saturday's 2-0 defeat to the same opposition was a case of damage limitation, with Dimitrov's side conceding two-thirds of the ball and registering only two shots on target.

A sparse home crowd in Sofia may feel they are owed something after another catastrophic campaign, and the country that upset Italia '90's beaten finalists Argentina and winners Germany on their way to the semi-finals of USA '94, have now not qualified for a World Cup since France '98.

Today's Football Fixtures

Georgia are also yet to make a global showpiece in their over 30 years as an independent nation, but impressed at last summer's Euros and look to be making strides.

They were a level above Bulgaria in September, winning 3-0 with plenty to spare, and can salvage something from their campaign with a second victory over Tuesday's opponents.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia anytime goalscorer @ 6/5

With Mikautadze sidelined due to a knee injury, more emphasis falls on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to spark Georgia's attacking play, but he clearly relishes the responsibility.

The Paris Saint-Germain winger scored the opener in September and is well placed to grab another goal.

Kvaratskhelia netted in his country's opening two qualifiers but has since failed to add to his tally.

However, his mazy dribbling and excellent shooting from range hint that he will get chances against a disorganised Lavovete rearguard.