Bulgaria VS Slovenia Match Prediction
2018-11-19
19:45:00
Bulgaria
VS
Slovenia
Our Prediction Tip
Bulgaria will win this match.
2018-11-1919:45:00 Bulgaria will win this match.
Bulgaria have won all three previous matches against Slovenia. The first two were during Euro 2008 qualification - winning 3-0 at home and 2-0 away - prior to their 2-1 win in Ljubljana in September. Bozhidar Kraev scored both of Bulgaria's goals last time out, either side of Miha Zajc’s equaliser.
%HEAD-TO-HEAD-STATS-BANNER%
Bulgaria have won all three previous games against Slovenia and with the visitors missing some key players, including experienced defender Bojan Kokic and the newly-retired Kevin Kampl it will be a tough ask for Slovenia to end that poor record.
Bozhidar Kraev scored both goals last time, while Ivelin Popov provides plenty of experience alongside him up front.
Slovenia are boosted by Josip Ilicic’s return after missing the game against Norway suspended but they lack goals in the current squad.
Bulgaria, on the other hand, have kept things tight in the UEFA Nations League so far, on home soil especially after wins against Norway and Cyprus in Sofia so far.
They had won four in a row and looked set to charge through the group unbeaten until they lost to Norway last month but they still have better form than Slovenia and can claim their vital three points in this game.
Slovenia are on a poor run of form in 2018 and interim manager Igor Benedejcic’s raft of changes to the squad are much-needed.
Even then, however, they go into this game as underdogs and will have their work cut out if they want to end the UEFA Nations League on a high note with a win.
With better form and home advantage, Bulgaria are favourites to beat Slovenia at a best price of 4/5 with 888sport.
Slovenia are lacking in goals and are without several experienced players too and they will find it hard to break down a Bulgaria side who could well win to nil too.
Bozhidar Kraev scored both Bulgaria goals when these teams last met, while Ivelin Popov, the captain, remains an attacking threat too – and the latter is due a goal.
Bulgaria are favourites to beat Slovenia and rightly so given their better position in the table, their better form and their strong record in this fixture to date.
Goalkeeper Plamen Iliev and striker Kiril Despodov – who scored his first Bulgaria goal last month – both withdrew from the squad through injury ahead of the game against Cyprus. Midfielder Georgi Milanov is also absent.
Ivelin Popov – The captain and Spartak Moscow striker has more goals and more caps than any other player in the current squad.
Bozhidar Kraev – Scored his first two international goals as Bulgaria beat Slovenia 2-1 in their opening UEFA Nations League game the last time they met.
Radoslav Vasilev – Another player to break his international duck with a match-winning goal in the current UEFA Nations League campaign – in his case, at home to Norway.
Bulgaria were on a four-match winning streak before their defeat to Norway in Oslo last month. They did not play in the summer, having beaten Kazakhstan 2-1 in Hungary in March, but won their first three UEFA Nations League matches – Bozhidar Kraev scored both goals in a 2-1 defeat of Slovenia, Radoslav Vasilev scored the only goal at home to Norway and Kiril Despodov and Todor Nedelev helped Bulgaria come from behind at home to Cyprus before their winning streak ended with a 1-0 loss in Oslo.
Jan Oblak has made himself unavailable for international duty until at least the new year so this month’s games could be the last of his lay-off. Kevin Kampl has retired from international duty, while Rene Krhin is among those missing from last month’s squad. Experienced defender Bojan Jokic has withdrawn through injury, meanwhile. Vid Belec looks set to continue in goal in Oblak’s place. Josip Ilicic missed the Norway game through suspension, after being sent off against Cyprus, but is set to return.
Robert Beric – Scored in the defeat to Cyprus in September and will look to prove his worth to club and country after a month-long lay-off .
Josip Ilicic – His return from suspension should see the Atalanta winger slot straight back in as he looks to add to his 54 caps and five international goals – more than any other player in the current squad.
Miha Zajc – Slovenia’s goalscorer when these two teams last met and an important cog in Slovenia’s central midfield.
Before the home game against Norway on Friday, Slovenia had last won away to Montenegro in June – their only win in nine games prior to the match in Ljubljana against the Norwegians. They lost their two opening UEFA Nations League by the same 2-1 scoreline, despite Robert Beric netting against Cyprus and Miha Zajc doing likewise against Bulgaria. A 1-0 loss away to Norway followed before a 1-1 draw in a high-tempered game against Cyprus ended their losing streak – Nejc Skubic scoring the late goal before Josip Ilicic was sent off in stoppage time. Cyprus finished with nine men after two red cards to them too.
Watch Live Streaming