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Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria prediction, betting tips and odds: Bulgarians could be beaten
Free Nations League tips, best bets and predictions for Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria. Plus a £50 Betfair free bet offer
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Where to watch Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria
You can watch Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria in the Nations League at 7.45pm on Tuesday, October 15 on the Viaplay International YouTube channel.
Match prediction & best bet
Northern Ireland
1pt 17-20 Coral, Ladbrokes
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Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria odds
Northern Ireland 17-20
Bulgaria 4-1
Draw 23-10
Odds correct at time of publishing
Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria predictions
Northern Ireland have been making eye-catching progress in 2024 and they can stay in contention for a Nations League promotion by defeating Bulgaria at Windsor Park.
Group C3 is extremely tight with just one point covering the top three teams.
Michael O'Neill's side are third with four points but they probably should be sitting at the summit after wasting several good chances in Saturday's 0-0 draw with leaders Belarus in Zalaegerszeg in Hungary.
Despite the sense of frustration, Northern Ireland know that victories from their final three matches, two of them at home, would earn them top spot and secure automatic promotion.
Second-placed Bulgaria remain unbeaten in the group and triumphed 1-0 at home to Northern Ireland last month thanks to Kiril Despodov's first-half goal.
However, they failed to win any of their eight games in Euro 2024 qualifying and will have to manage the rest of the campaign without star midfielder Ilia Gruev, who faces several months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
Gruev's creativity was missed on Saturday as Bulgaria drew 0-0 at home to sectional basement boys Luxembourg, and his absence could be even more telling in Belfast, where the Bulgarian defence are sure to face a sterner examination.
Northern Ireland's total expected goals stands at 4.1, by far the highest in the section, while their expected goals against of 1.84 is the lowest among the four teams.
O'Neill's side probably deserve to have a few more points on the board and they look a solid wager to return to winning ways.
Key stat
Northern Ireland have won four of their last five home matches.
Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria team news
Northern Ireland
Goalkeepers Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard are unavailable and defender Dan Ballard (ankle) withdrew from the squad.
Bulgaria
The visitors are without key midfielder Ilia Gruev (knee).
Probable teams
Northern Ireland (3-5-2): P Charles; Hume, McNair, Toal; Bradley, Price, S Charles, Saville, Lewis; Reid, Marshall.
Subs: Spencer, McCann, Smyth, D Charles, Bonis, Magennis, Brown.
Bulgaria (4-2-3-1): Mitev; Popov, Atanasov, Petkov, Nurnberger; Kostadinov, Antonov; Despodov, Krastev, Kirilov; Kolev.
Subs: Chochev, Dimitrov, M Minchev, G Minchev, S Petrov, Turitsov, Ivanov.
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