Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria prediction, betting tips, odds and preview
Republic of Ireland are back in Nations League action on Sunday night for the second leg of their promotion/relegation play-off against Bulgaria following their 2-1 win in Plovdiv on Thursday night.
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria best bets
- Republic of Ireland to win and both teams to score - 10/3 with bet365
- Republic of Ireland to win 2-1 - 8/1 with bet365
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Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria odds
Find the latest match odds for Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria on bet365. Odds are subject to change.
- Republic of Ireland - 7/10
- Draw - 3/1
- Bulgaria - 7/2
Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria prediction
Republic of Ireland have taken one step towards maintaining their League B status after coming from behind to beat Buglaria in Thursday's first leg of their Nations League play-off in a bid to avoid relegation to League C.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's side have now won three of their last five matches and after losing four of his opening six since taking charge of the Irish side.
Republic of Ireland have played in the second tier of the Nations League in every campaign since its inception, also finishing third on all four occasions, and goals from Finn Azaz and Matt Doherty in Plovdiv heave heavily boosted their chances of making it five League B campaigns in a row.
Bulgaria's second loss in 13 games on Thursday night has left them with a big uphill battle to earn promotion back up to the second tier of the Nations League after two consecutive campaigns in League C.
Ilian Iliev's side had scored only three goals in their six games in the league phase of the Nations League earlier this season, but two wins and three draws in that run was enough for them to secure second place behind Northern Ireland and a place in the play-offs for promotion.
Bulgaria have lost only one of their last seven matches away from home, though that loss did came in Belfast in a 5-0 hammering against Northern Ireland, which made up 83% of the six goals they conceded in the entire league phase during the back end of last year.
The eastern European side are winless in seven visits to the Republic of Ireland, though are unbeaten in their of their last four visits, the most recent being a goalless draw in the Nations League back in November 2020.
I can see Sunday night panning out in a similar fashion to the first leg, the visitors starting strongly knowing they need a positive result before Ireland's strength in depth and quality start to show through and end up securing victory. I imagine a 2-1 home win.
Reoublic of Ireland v Bulgaria betting tips
The Republic of Ireland have won three of their last five games since the start of October but have only kept one clean sheet in all competitions since Hallgrimsson took charge of the team, and though had to rely on a missed penalty by Finland to earn that shutout.
Bulgaria will likely start fast knowing they have to win in Dublin and make the trip having lost only one of their last eight on the road, though will have haunting memories of their last trip to the Emerald Isle following their 5-0 defeat in Belfast back in October.
- Republic of Ireland to win and both teams to score - 10/3 with bet365
- Republic of Ireland to win 2-1 - 8/1 with bet365
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How to watch Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria
- Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Date and time: Sunday 23rd March 2025, 7:45pm
- How to watch: Amazon Prime Video
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