Bulgaria V England
Monday 14 October 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying
Pick: England & Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: PaddyPower
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59/4 | 57/10 | 21/100 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 12 October 2019 at 15:40)
Preview: What sort of response can we expect from England? The Three Lions dropped their first points of Euro 2020 Qualifying last time out in Prague, losing 2-1 to the Czech Republic. Up next are a Bulgaria team still searching for its first win of the campaign. The Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, Belgium will host this fixture.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting – 22Bet
Bulgaria Preview – Can hosts resurrect their own woeful form?
Results in Group A: Montenegro 1-1 (H), Kosovo 1-1 (A), Czech Republic 2-1 (A), Kosovo 2-3 (H), England 4-0 (A), Montenegro 0-0 (A)
If England thought they had problems, they have nothing on Bulgaria. A goalless draw in Montenegro on Friday extended their winless drought to ten matches in all competitions (D5 L5). It also left them languishing in last place in this group on three points (5th – W0 D3 L3, GF5 GA11), a tally comprising solely of draws – a couple with Montenegro and another in Kosovo. Desperate stuff.
Holding them back in recent times has been an inability to score goals, or enough of them shall we say, because despite scoring in eight of their last ten games, one one occasion – in a 3-2 defeat at home to Kosovo – could they muster more than one goal. The reverse meeting, meanwhile, would see them fail to score at all, resoundingly beaten 4-0 inside Wembley in London.
The result in Montenegro did, at the very least, provide coach Krasimir Balakov with something to be pleased about: a first clean sheet in eleven internationals, since beating Norway 1-0 at home in September 2018. With how England struggled to create, and subsequently score, from open play only a matter of days ago, perhaps the Bulgarians are optimistic about a second successive shut-out? A glut of goals feels more likely, though: eight of their last eleven games have featured goals for both teams.
England Preview – Immediate return to winning ways for Three Lions?
Results in Group A: Czech Republic 5-0 (H), Montenegro 1-5 (A), Bulgaria 4-0 (H), Kosovo 5-3 (H), Czech Republic 2-1 (A)
Perhaps the most remarkable statistic to come out of England’s dreadful performance in the Czech Republic, losing 2-1 in Prague despite leading inside five minutes, was that it was their first defeat in a qualifying match – World Cup or Euro – for 43 games. Quite remarkable how a country renowned for underwhelming internationally quietly went that length of time unbeaten. It was also a defeat they could have few complaints about.
In the grand scheme of things, a loss is unlikely to prove too damaging. Provided they respond positively, that is. A strong start to the campaign, winning their first four qualifiers, has earned them some room for manoeuvre. Indeed victory in Sofia, coupled with Kosovo not beating Montenegro, and a spot in the finals would be assured nice and early. However, on recent evidence can this England side be relied upon to wrap it up in a tidy and professional manner?
England have now shipped five goals in their last two qualifiers, to teams ranked 44 (Czech Republic) and 119 (Kosovo). The best teams can concede goals but that is far too many at this level. The defeat itself was only their first in twelve matches (W8 D3 L1), so there is no reason why they won’t make a swift return to winning ways especially versus an opponent thrashed 4-0 earlier in the campaign. Then again, England beat the Czechs by an even bigger score in London (5-0) but still contrived to lose the away encounter.
Bulgaria V England Key Facts:
- Bulgaria have not managed a win in their previous ten internationals (D5 L5).
- England suffered their first defeat of this Euro 2020 campaign but still top the group (W4 L1).
- In eight previous meetings, England are still to lose (W5 D3), winning the last three encounters all without conceding.
Betting Summary
Although their opposite numbers are reeling from defeat, the Bulgarians are hardly in a prime position themselves to pounce. In fact their own problems run far deeper. Drawing 0-0 in Montenegro made it no win in their last ten matches (D5 L5), with the only positive being a first clean sheet secured in eleven attempts. Meanwhile, eight of their previous eleven fixtures produced both teams to score.
Some stinging criticism landed England‘s way following their woeful performance and subsequent defeat in the Czech Republic. Those were the first points dropped of the campaign, having won all four qualifiers beforehand, but it is also five goals conceded from the last two games and those defensive deficiencies puts additional pressure on the forwards to deliver big returns – which, in fairness, they managed to do prior to losing in Prague.
Personnel changes seem inevitable from a England perspective. The performance should be vastly improved regardless, as surely it cannot be any worse. It helps playing weaker opposition who are in terrible form. So Gareth Southgate and his men should redeem themselves with a win but until the defence tightens up, it makes sense to bank on goals as well.
