Our football betting expert offers his three best Ireland vs Bulgaria betting tips and predictions ahead of their Nations League clash on Sunday.
Ireland claimed an impressive 2-1 victory away to Bulgaria in Thursday’s Nations League play-off first leg and they are aiming to complete the job in Dublin on Sunday.
Ireland vs Bulgaria Betting Tips
- Ireland to win to nil @ 6/4 with bet365
- Nathan Collins to score at any time @ 9/1 with bet365
- Fabian Nurnberger to be booked @ 13/5 with bet365
Irish defence should stand firm against limited visitors
Ireland took a big step towards retaining their second-tier status in the Nations League thanks to a 2-1 comeback victory in Bulgaria on Thursday.
The hosts made the perfect start to the first leg of their promotion/relegation play-off tie when Marin Petkov gave them a sixth-minute lead.
However, Ireland responded swiftly and Finn Azaz, set up by strike partner Troy Parrott, equalised in the 21st minute before Matt Doherty put the visitors 2-1 up shortly before half-time.
Bulgaria mustered only seven shots at goal despite chasing an equaliser for the entire second half and their poor away record points to a bet on Ireland to win to nil in Sunday’s second leg.
Ilian Iliev’s men won 1-0 in Luxembourg in their final away group fixture but their previous trip ended in a 5-0 rout by Northern Ireland.
Bulgaria have scored only twice in their last five away games and one of those goals was a penalty in last June’s friendly draw with Slovenia.
Ireland lost 5-0 to England at Wembley on matchday six of the Nations League, condemning them to a place in the play-offs, but they beat Finland 1-0 in their most recent home match and can repeat that feat this weekend.
Ireland vs Bulgaria Bet 1: Ireland to win to nil @ 6/4 with bet365
Towering Collins poses aerial threat from set-pieces
The first leg was a game of few clear-cut chances, with the three goals coming from just six shots on target.
Ireland centre-backs Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins had five of their side’s 12 attempts and Brentford’s Collins is worth backing to find the net in the second leg.
The towering defender scored in the Bees’ Premier League home wins over Wolves and Newcastle earlier this season and had three efforts at goal in his last three league appearances.
Collins averaged one shot per game during Ireland’s 2022-23 Nations League campaign, scoring a cracker against Ukraine, and he could add to his international goal tally against Bulgaria.
Ireland vs Bulgaria Bet 2: Nathan Collins to score at any time @ 9/1 with bet365
Bulgarian left-back likely to add to his card collection
Four Bulgaria players picked up yellow cards in the first leg and left-back Fabian Nurnberger is a prime candidate to be booked in Sunday’s return fixture.
He was cautioned three times in five Group C3 appearances for his nation and was sent off in his most recent start for club side Darmstadt in the German second division.
Nurnberger amassed 19 bookings in 54 league starts in his final three seasons at his previous club, FC Nurnberg, and he may struggle to stay out of trouble on Sunday.
Ireland vs Bulgaria Bet 3: Fabian Nurnberger to be booked @ 13/5 with bet365
