Bulgaria Vs North Macedonia
Bulgaria Vs North Macedonia Thursday, 2 June 2022 – 17:00 (BST)
UEFA Nations League
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: WilliamHill
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 31 May 2022)
Preview: Group C4 of Nations League 2022-23 gets underway in Razgrad, where Bulgaria are aiming for a fourth consecutive win as hosts. Their task won’t be easy, though. North Macedonia have established quite the reputation of late for springing a surprise and boast victories in three of their last four matches away from home.
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Table of Contents
Bulgaria – Home comforts can aid positive start?
The Lions couldn’t hang up in League B and were subsequently demoted when wrapping up their 2020-21 Nations League campaign with a goalless draw away to the Republic of Ireland. They finished as one of three teams (out of 16) in League B not to win any of their six matches (D2 L4) and with only two goals to their name – half that of any other side in what was essentially the competition’s second tier.
Big improvements are needed then, although facing considerably weaker opponents – chiefly Georgia and Gibraltar – will make things easier. Not that Thursday’s opposition necessarily fall into that category. Bulgaria would win three of four prior H2H’s though (L1), each time ‘to nil’. Something similar here would bring up their fourth consecutive home win, to go with those against Georgia, Lithuania and Northern Ireland.
Key Stat: There has been Both Teams to Score (Yes) in six of the past seven matches involving Bulgaria, and in four of their last six as the hosts.
North Macedonia – Lynxes yet to take to Nations League?
In theory, North Macedonia should make light work of this section. The Lynxes were disappointing during their most recent Nations League endeavours as they finished in second in Group C2 (W2 D3 L1). A 1-0 loss away in Armenia in their final outing costing them promotion, though they would gain their revenge emphatically a year later courtesy of a 5-0 victory in Yerevan during World Cup qualifying.
Either side of that uninspiring Nations League campaign, though, this group of players created history. Their appearance at EURO 2020 was historic, being their first ever at a major tournament, and they very nearly repeated the trick in March. Needing to beat both Italy and Portugal to qualify for their first World Cup, Blagoja Milevski’s charges stunned the European Champions before defeat in Lisbon curtailed their journey.
Key Stat: Prior to a 2-0 loss away to Portugal in their latest encounter, North Macedonia had lost only one of eight previous games (W4 D3). Amidst that was arguably their most memorable result in recent times, defeating EURO 2020 winners Italy in Palermo.
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Bulgaria Vs North Macedonia Betting Advice
The head-to-head record might suggest Bulgaria are some value, having won three of four prior engagements (L1). Including the only meeting as hosts (1-0 in 2001 friendly). However, there can be no doubt North Macedonia’s recent body of work overshadows anything the home side can bring to the table. Though wins across their last three home matches implies some level of confidence in this being competitive.
Bulgaria Vs North Macedonia – Key Facts:
- Just a fifth ever meeting between the two countries sees Bulgaria targeting their fourth win (W3 L1). Meanwhile, their sole encounter in Bulgaria produced a marginal victory for the home side (1-0 in a friendly back in 2001).
- None of four prior meetings produced both teams scoring. However, Bulgaria’s last seven competitive matches have seen them score but also concede on six occasions. This was also the case four of the past six times they were at home.
- North Macedonia had scored in eight consecutive away matches prior to a 2-0 loss last time out against Portugal. The Lynxes wouldn’t win any of three away matches during the previous Nations League season though (D2 L1).
In the last Nations League, North Macedonia failed to win any of three away matches at this same level (League C). That has to be of significant concern especially with Bulgaria in such fine recent home form. The draw appeals then, as does 11/10 about BTTS. That bet returned a winner in six of Bulgaria’s last seven games but just one of North Macedonia’s last seven, though the latter did net in eight of their last nine away.
Best Betting Odds – Bulgaria Vs North Macedonia
Bulgaria – 17/10 (Coral)
Draw – 2/1 (Betfair)
North Macedonia – 9/5 (PaddyPower)
