Bulgaria vs Spain: Football Previews & Free Football Betting Tips
Spain continue their World Cup qualifying push with a tricky trip to Sofia. Bulgaria’s aim is simple: make Vasil Levski noisy, awkward, and turn this into a set-piece and transition battle. Spain arrive as European champions with a deep, dangerous squad and look favourites on paper.
Expect a committed crowd and an organised home shape. Bulgaria usually keep a compact 4-4-2/4-2-3-1, looking for width on turnovers. Spain should be a fluid 4-3-3 that becomes a 3-2-5 in possession, with wingers stretching and the midfield rotating to find the half-spaces.
- Goalkeepers: Dimitar Mitov, Ivan Dyulgerov, Svetoslav Vutsov.
- Defenders: Anton Nedyalkov, Kristian Dimitrov, Aleks Petkov, Zhivko Atanasov, Fabian Nürnberger, Hristiyan Petrov, Nikolay Minkov, Rosen Bozhinov, Emil Tsenov.
- Midfielders: Georgi Milanov, Ivaylo Chochev, Ilia Gruev, Marin Petkov, Andrian Kraev, Vasil Panayotov, Svetoslav Kovachev, Stanislav Shopov.
- Forwards: Kiril Despodov, Martin Minchev, Radoslav Kirilov, Aleksandar Kolev, Lukas Petkov, Vladimir Nikolov.
- Notes: No fresh injuries flagged in the call-up. Despodov remains the primary outlet; Gruev and Chochev give structure in midfield; Mitov is favourite to start in goal.
- Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, Álex Remiro.
- Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Pedro Porro, Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Pau Cubarsí, Dani Vivian, Marc Cucurella, Álex Grimaldo.
- Midfielders: Rodri, Martín Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz, Pedri, Mikel Merino, Gavi, Fermín López, Dani Olmo.
- Forwards: Álvaro Morata, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Yeremy Pino, Jesús Rodríguez.
- Notes: Carvajal and Rodri are back. Depth out wide is elite (Williams, Yamal, Ferran), with Morata/Oyarzabal options for the nine and lots of ball-progression in midfield.
Record: 2–3–5. Goals: 8 scored, 12 conceded — that’s roughly 0.8 scored and 1.2 conceded per game. Clean sheets: around four in ten during this run. The pattern has been low-margin games decided by set-plays and the first goal.
Trend: good when compact and aggressive in duels; chance creation can dry up if they fall behind.
Record: 7–1–2. Goals: 16 scored, 9 conceded — around 1.6 scored and 0.9 conceded per game. Clean sheets: roughly four in ten. Their wide players and second-line midfield runners have provided most of the end product.
Trend: fast tempo, big pressure on the ball, and a ruthless switch of play to isolate wingers 1v1.
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| Metric | Bulgaria | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Last 10 record (wins–draws–losses) | 2–3–5 | 7–1–2 |
| Total goals scored (last 10) | 8 | 16 |
| Total goals conceded (last 10) | 12 | 9 |
| Average goals scored per match | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| Average goals conceded per match | 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Clean sheet percentage | ~40% | ~40% |
| Average possession | 45% | 57% |
| Average shots per match (total / on target) | 6.4 / 3.5 | 16.2 / 7.2 |
| Expected goals per match | 0.93 | 1.94 |
| Average points per match | 1.00 | 2.20 |
Bulgaria’s home games have tended to be tight and low-margin. When they score first, they can lean on duels and set-pieces to protect the lead. The concern is chance creation from open play if they fall behind.
Spain travel well: high possession, aggressive counter-press and width to pin back full-backs. Away matches can open up late once their rotations wear teams down, especially with fresh wingers off the bench.
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Goals For (average)
Goals Against (average)
- Kiril Despodov — primary threat on breaks and set-pieces; carries the ball and draws fouls.
- Ilia Gruev — screening and first pass; his positioning without the ball will be vital against Spain’s rotations.
- Dimitar Mitov — shot-stopping and command of area; likely to face volume.
- Lamine Yamal — 1v1 dynamo; Spain use him to stretch the back line and create cut-backs.
- Rodri — tempo-setter and press-resistance; controls rest-defence and progression.
- Nico Williams — direct runner to attack the space behind full-backs; adds chaos if the game loosens up.
0–2 away win. Bulgaria can keep things tight for long spells, but Spain’s wing play and bench depth should tell over 90 minutes. If Spain score first, their control phase makes it hard for Bulgaria to mount sustained pressure.
Spain to win without conceding a goal — superior chance creation, wider range of scorers, and stronger defensive baseline.
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