Comments and predictions for Ireland vs Bulgaria: Tense chase

Latest Ireland vs Bulgaria squad information

It remains to be seen whether Heimir Hallgrimsson will make any major changes to Ireland’s starting line-up following the first-leg win. Up front, Troy Parrott continues to compete for a starting spot with Evan Ferguson, who came off the bench in the previous game and could start in the return leg. Celtic striker Adam Idah is another option being considered.

Matt Doherty – who has just reunited with his manager after a turbulent time – is likely to make his 50th appearance for the national team, joining Dara O'Shea and Nathan Collins in defence. Despite suffering a nosebleed in the first leg, Robbie Brady is likely to retain his place on the left flank.

On the Bulgarian side, Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov was forced off in the second half due to injury and was replaced by Plamen Iliev. Given the current situation, Iliev is likely to start in the return leg in Dublin.

Up front, captain Kiril Despodov – the team’s current top scorer with 15 goals – will undoubtedly be the biggest hope, joining Levski Sofia star Marin Petkov, who scored the opener in the first leg.

Latest expected lineup for Republic of Ireland vs Bulgaria

Ireland:

Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, O'Shea, Brady; Cullen, Knight; Johnston, Azaz, Manning; Ferguson

Bulgaria:

P. Iliev; Nedyalkov, Atanasov, A. Petkov, Nurnberger; M. Petkov, Kraev, Gruev, Krastev, Despodov; L. Petkov

Latest football commentary Ireland vs Bulgaria

A heroic comeback helped the Republic of Ireland to a 2-1 away win in the first leg of their Nations League promotion play-off. Having conceded just six minutes into the game against Bulgaria thanks to Marin Petkov's accurate finish, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side quickly regained control of the game.

Finn Azaz equalised from close range before Matt Doherty headed home to make it 2-1 just before the break. Despite no further goals in the second half, Ireland left Plovdiv with a commanding lead ahead of the return leg in Dublin on Sunday.

Hallgrimsson, however, cannot afford to be complacent. His side only managed six points from six games in the group stage last season – a result that almost saw them relegated. The defence conceded 12 goals while the attack scored just three times, suggesting Ireland still have a long way to go if they are to be consistent in the long term.

The next step is to secure their place in League B, before looking ahead to the World Cup qualifying campaign which begins in September – with a home opener against Hungary.

Bulgaria, for their part, narrowly qualified for the group stage, drawing 1-1 with Belarus in their final match to finish second behind Northern Ireland. But to secure promotion to League B, they needed to do something they had never done before: beat Ireland in Dublin.

Bulgaria have struggled to score goals under Ilian Iliev, having played 13 games and only managed seven goals in total, including Petkov's exquisite strike in the first leg.

A lack of attacking firepower is a major issue that has always plagued Bulgaria against higher-class opponents. And like Ireland, their 2026 World Cup dream will not be easy, so any success in the Nations League will be a huge boost both professionally and mentally.

Latest score prediction for Republic of Ireland vs Bulgaria

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Republic of Ireland vs Bulgariaas follows:

• Sportsmole:Republic of Ireland 2-1 Bulgaria

• WhoScore:Republic of Ireland 2-0 Bulgaria
• Our newspaper predicts:Republic of Ireland 2-1 Bulgaria

When and where to watch Ireland vs Bulgaria live?

To watch the live match between Ireland and Bulgaria in the Nations League taking place at 1:45 a.m. on March 24, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.