Verdict: Spain win to nil
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Getting their World Cup qualifying campaign underway on Thursday night, Spain will travel to Sofia when they meet Bulgaria for their opening Group E showdown.
Bulgaria
Starting with the hosts, suffering major Nations League frustration back in May as they eventually fell to a 4-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Ireland, Bulgaria find themselves in the midst of what has been another extended rut. Last seen in international action getting hit with a 4-0 drumming against Greece in a friendly showdown on June 10th, the Lions couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge when they get their respective World Cup qualifying adventure underway here. Failing to register consecutive victories across any competition since way back in September 2022, Bulgaria are unsurprisingly pencilled in as a landslide underdog on Thursday night. It should also be highlighted, Ilian Iliev’s side have mustered just a single completive win in front of their own supporters over the past three years.
Bulgaria Team News
Making consecutive Premier League starts over the past fortnight, Leeds United midfielder Ilia Gruev will start in the middle of the park. Now entering his second campaign with Scottish outfit Aberdeen, Dimitar Mitov could keep his spot between the sticks.
Now playing his domestic football with Australian outfit Western Sydney, Bozhidar Kraev will lead the line on Thursday night. Opening his account for PAOK last month, skipper Kiril Despodov will lead out Iliev’s side in Sofia and earn a 57th international cap.
Spain
As for the visitors, while Spain might have missed out the chance to successfully defend their Nations League crown back in June, La Roja have only embarked on a serious flurry over the past two years. Getting their hands on a fourth European crown last summer as they claimed a famous 2-1 victory against England, Luis de la Fuente’s side have once again underlined their status as one of the world elite. Heading in a far more youthful direction and receiving a fearsome reputation from across the globe, Thursday’s guests will be looking to get their World Cup qualifying adventure underway with an early statement of intent. Not suffering a single competitive defeat across any competition since way back in March 2023, de la Fuente’s superstar squad will be smelling a golden opportunity when they travel to Sofia in midweek.
Spain Team News
While the duo of Dani Carvajal and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Rodri might still be trying to find full fitness after dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, both have been included in Spain’s squad. Likewise, completing a permanent move to Arsenal this summer, Martin Zubimendi will feature here.
Already notching a pair of goals in his first three La Liga appearances this season, Lamine Yamal will play a leading role in the final third. Despite only arriving at Premier League outfit Crystal Palace last week, Yeremy Pino could earn a 16th international cap on Thursday night.
Bulgaria vs Spain Key Factors to Consider
- When Bulgaria and Spain last met for a competitive showdown way back in the summer of 1998, La Roja stormed their way to a 6-1 victory.
- Despite their Nations League frustration back in June, Spain have not suffered a competitive defeat across any competition since March 2023.
- Bulgaria have collected just a single competitive victory in front of their own supporters over the past three years.
- Spain have registered at least a pair of strikes in all of their last seven consecutive appearances across all competitions.
- Barcelona talisman Lamine Yamal has found the net in two of his opening three La Liga appearances.
Conclusion
Looking to claim an immediate response following on from their Nations League frustration back in June, Spain will be excited to get their World Cup qualifying adventure underway on Thursday night. Rightfully travelling over to Sofia in midweek pencilled in as a landslide contender, the reigning European champions will be confident of laying down an opening marker here. Meeting a Bulgaria squad who have mustered just a single competitive victory in front of their own supporters over the past three years, it is hard to see anything other than a routine away victory in midweek.
Verdict: Spain win to nil
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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