Ireland vs Bulgaria: betting odds March 23, 2025

The return leg of the 2024/25 Nations League playoff between Ireland and Bulgaria will take place on March 23 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The first match ended 2-1 in favor of Ireland. Ireland vs. Bulgaria: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Ireland

Heimir Hallgrimsson's team won the first leg away with a 2-1 scoreline, giving them a significant advantage over their opponents. This victory marked Ireland's fifth win in the Nations League, with three of those coming in the current campaign. Additionally, it was only the second time in their last seven Nations League matches that Ireland scored more than one goal. To maintain their place in League B, Ireland only needs to avoid defeat in regular time. Notably, Ireland has never left the second tier of the tournament.

• The team has not won in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home matches in the Nations League (3 draws, 5 losses).
• No more than two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 9 of their last 11 home games in this tournament.
• Ireland failed to score in regular time in 8 of their last 11 home matches in the Nations League.

Predicted lineup for Ireland (4-1-4-1)

Caoimhin Kelleher – Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins, Nathan Collins, Ryan Manning – Jason Knight – Josh Cullen, Robbie Brady, Finn Azaz, Mikey Johnston – Troy Parrott.

Bulgaria

Ilian Iliev's side suffered only their second defeat in 11 Nations League matches (4 wins, 5 draws) after losing the first leg. Additionally, it was only the third time in their last eight matches in the tournament that Bulgaria conceded a goal. To advance to League B, the team needs to win by at least two goals in regular time, or if they win by one goal, extra time will be required.

• The team has not won in regular time in 9 of their last 11 away matches in the Nations League (5 draws, 4 losses).
• Bulgaria failed to score in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 9 away games in this tournament.
• No more than two goals have been scored in regular time in 10 of Bulgaria's last 11 away matches in the Nations League.

Predicted lineup for Bulgaria (4-4-2)

Dimitar Mitov – Anton Nedyalkov, Alex Petkov, Zhivko Atanasov, Fabian Nurnberger – Andrian Kraev, Filip Krastev, Ilia Gruev, Marin Petkov – Kiril Despodov, Filip Krastev.

Defender Zhivko Atanasov will not play due to suspension.

Referee

Umut Meler (Turkey)

Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 28;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;

Red cards shown – 0;

Average fouls per match – 20;

Penalties – 38%.

Match Prediction: Ireland vs. Bulgaria

Ireland has rarely delighted their fans with an attacking display, even at home in the Nations League. In 11 home matches in this tournament, the team has only twice scored more than one goal, failing to score at all in eight instances. However, they can be quite reliable in defense, having conceded more than one goal in only three home matches throughout their Nations League history.

Bulgaria does not excel in attack and prefers a counter-attacking style, especially in away games. In their last 11 away matches in the Nations League, the team has never scored more than once, and in seven of those games, they failed to score at all. Meanwhile, the team often successfully holds off opponents' attacks, having kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven away matches.

I don't expect many goals in this match, so my prediction: Total under 2.5 goals