Bulgaria vs Georgia: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups
Bulgaria is set to face Georgia in a World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday in Sofia. Both teams are looking to end their campaigns on a high note, although neither will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Bulgaria’s Struggles in Qualification
Bulgaria has had a disappointing qualifying campaign, failing to earn a single point in their matches. The team began their journey under former coach Ilian Iliev, who was dismissed after a string of poor performances, including a 3-0 defeat to Georgia.
His replacement, Aleksandar Dimitrov, has failed to turn things around, losing all three matches since taking charge with a cumulative score of 12-1. Bulgaria’s last victory came in November 2024 in a Nations League match against Luxembourg.
Recent Match Performance
- Last five World Cup qualifiers: L L L L L
- Overall form in all competitions: L L L L L L
Georgia’s Mixed Results
Georgia’s qualifying journey has not been much better, with only one win in five matches. They will be eager to finish strong after a disappointing home defeat of 4-0 to Spain.
Despite their struggles, Georgia successfully qualified for Euro 2024, their first major tournament as an independent nation. They secured a decisive 3-0 win over Bulgaria in September, courtesy of goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nika Gagnidze, and Georges Mikautadze.
Recent Match Performance
- Last five World Cup qualifiers: L W L L L
- Overall form in all competitions: D L W L L L
Team News
Bulgaria will miss several key players, including Anton Nedyalkov and Stanislav Ivanov, due to injuries. New players Martin Minchev and Marin Petkov may start as coach Dimitrov looks for a winning strategy. Kiril Despodov aims to add to his international tally.
On the Georgian side, Stanislav Ivanov and Gabriel Sigua have also withdrawn. Giorgi Kochorashvili is eligible to play again after serving a suspension, potentially strengthening the squad.
Predicted Lineups
| Bulgaria | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Mitov; Georgiev, K. Dimitrov, Chernev, H. Petrov; Krastev, Gruev, Chochev; Petkov, Minchev, Despodov | Mamardashvili; Gocholeishvili, Lochoshvili, Kabia, Mamuchashvili; Kiteishvili, Mekvabishvili, Kochorashvili; Davitashvili, Kvaratskhelia, Zivzivadze |
Match Prediction
Despite their recent struggles, Georgia is favored to win. The team has shown stronger performance than Bulgaria in their previous matches. Experts predict a scoreline of 2-0 in favor of Georgia.
As both teams look to conclude their qualifying hopes, fans can expect a competitive clash in Sofia, with both sides eager to redeem their campaigns.
