Gibraltar Vs Bulgaria
Gibraltar Vs Bulgaria Thursday, 9 June 2022 – 19:45 (BST)
UEFA Nations League
Pick: Bulgaria Win & Both Teams to Score
Odds: 11/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 7 June 2022)
Preview: A staggering 130 places in the FIFA Rankings split these teams at the start of play at Victoria Stadium, where Gibraltar need home advantage to play a significant role if they are to secure their first point in Group B4. They welcome a Bulgaria side under huge pressure to end a six-game winless run.
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Table of Contents
Gibraltar – Minnows looking out of place in League C?
As expected, a side ranked 203 in the world – only San Marino holding a lower ranking coming into this season’s UEFA Nations League – have toiled so far in their first stint in League C. Games against Georgia and North Macedonia returned a grand total of zero points, no goals scored and six conceded. Their only form of solace, then, will be the sight of their next opponents. Purely down to Bulgaria also being thus far.
‘Los Llanis’ would at least ensure some respectability to the scoreline last time out, keeping North Macedonia to only a 2-0 victory here at Victoria Stadium. The statistics, however, implied it was anything but a contest and could have been a much more one-sided scoreline had the visitors finished their chances. For Gibraltar head coach Julio Cesar Ribas, though, it was a 19th international in a row without a win (D5 L14).
Key Stat: Gibraltar managed one shot on target in their 2-0 home loss to North Macedonia on Matchday 2, having mustered one attempt – which was off target – in their opening 4-0 defeat away in Georgia. They’re without a goal in four games.
Bulgaria – Big win expected after difficult period?
Their demotion from League B, finishing bottom with two points in a group comprising Wales, Finland and Republic of Ireland, would supposedly lead to easier games. So far, at least, this hasn’t proven to be the case. Only upcoming opponents Gibraltar, who are easily the worst team on paper in the entirety of League C, are keeping a Bulgarian side ranked 130 places better off in 73 off the foot of the table in Group C4.
The situation had reached crisis point following the 5-2 defeat to Georgia in Sofia, leading to Yasen Petrov resigning on the spot after a sixth winless international on the bounce (D2 L4). That poor run of form included a creditable 1-1 draw against North Macedonia on Matchday. On the other hand, goalscoring hasn’t been much of an issue, netting at least one goal in their last four encounters and all but one of the last 11.
Key Stat: Bulgaria would both score and concede in 8 of their past 9 matches. This would also be the case in five of their six previous away from home, vs Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, Qatar and Ukraine.
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Gibraltar Vs Bulgaria Betting Advice
Whatever happens, one of these teams will likely end the night with their win on the board in Group C4. The likelihood of that being the home side, though, seems negligible with Gibraltar huge odds to halt their 19-match winless sequence. Their opponents are stuck in a rut of their own, however, going six games without a win despite having found the net in all but one of these contests.
Gibraltar Vs Bulgaria – Key Facts:
- Just a second ever meeting between the countries sees Bulgaria aiming to follow up their 3-0 win in Sofia, in a 2020 friendly encounter, with a similarly convincing scoreline.
- Gibraltar are without a goal for four games having not won any of their last 19 (D4 L15). However, Bulgaria last kept a clean sheet ten games ago and seen seven of their last nine encounters contain Over 2.5 Goals but also Both Teams to Score.
- All the onus is on the visiting side, though. Bulgaria sit 130 places higher up in the FIFA Rankings, though a six-game winless spell (D2 L4) coming into the game only adds to the pressure on them.
Gibraltar are still to score in this Nations League campaign, losing both matches by a 6-0 aggregate. Conversely, Bulgaria would manage three goals in games against Georgia and North Macedonia. That alone, their ability to actually find the net, points to an easy away win here. But with no Bulgarian clean sheet in nine games, the value – and thrill – rests in supporting the underdog hosts ending their scoring drought.
Best Betting Odds – Gibraltar Vs Bulgaria
Gibraltar – 16/1 (WilliamHill)
Draw – 13/2 (BetVictor)
Bulgaria – 2/11 (Coral)
