Iceland travel to Plovdiv on Friday 13 November chasing the win that would all but seal top spot in their Nations League group, with a misfiring Bulgaria side standing in their way at a 7.45pm kick-off (UK time).
Arnar Gunnlaugsson‘s Iceland lead League C, Group 4 and thrashed Bulgaria 3-0 in Reykjavik last month, with Orri Steinn Oskarsson scoring twice. Bulgaria, third in the group and still without a home win this campaign, badly need a result of their own. We have gone through the Bulgaria vs Iceland odds for our best bets, two premium picks and a score prediction below.
Premium Tips
Anthony Eadson has sided with the visitors after studying the Bulgaria vs Iceland odds, with two picks that back an Iceland team flying high in the group to repeat their dominance of the reverse fixture.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Orri Steinn Oskarsson to score anytime | 7/4 (Paddy Power) | Orri Steinn Oskarsson scored twice when these sides met in Reykjavik last month and is comfortably Iceland’s biggest goal threat. The Real Sociedad striker has been in form at club level too, and he faces a Bulgaria defence that has kept just one clean sheet in the group and was taken apart in that reverse fixture. With Iceland likely to see plenty of the ball in Plovdiv, their main marksman at 7/4 to score anytime looks a sensible way into the game rather than chancing the shorter team prices. He is the obvious man to carry the visitors’ threat again here. |
| Iceland to win to nil | 2/1 (BoyleSports) | Bulgaria have been toothless in front of their own fans, drawing a blank in the goalless stalemate with Estonia and managing only one goal across their two Plovdiv outings. Iceland, meanwhile, shut Bulgaria out completely in the 3-0 win last month and have the attacking quality to settle this one early. At 2/1, backing the visitors to win without conceding offers far more value than the odds-on price on a straightforward Iceland victory, and it chimes with a Bulgaria side short on goals and confidence at home. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Bulgaria go into the game
Bulgaria sit third in Group 4 on four points and remain a work in progress. They were well beaten 3-0 away in Iceland last month but did at least respond with a 2-0 win at Luxembourg, comfortably their standout result of the campaign.
At home, though, the goals have dried up. A goalless draw with Estonia and a 1-2 defeat to Luxembourg in Plovdiv underline the problem, and Kiril Despodov remains their main source of inspiration in an attack that has too often looked blunt. Nothing less than a win here keeps their faint hopes of catching Estonia alive.
How Iceland go into the game
Iceland have been the form side in the group, leading the way on eight points from four games and unbeaten under Arnar Gunnlaugsson. The 3-0 win over Bulgaria was the pick of their results, with away points and home draws keeping them clear at the top.
Oskarsson’s double against these opponents headlined that victory, and Andri Gudjohnsen offers further support in attack. A win in Plovdiv would leave Iceland on the brink of winning the group ahead of their final fixture, and on current form they travel as deserved favourites despite surrendering home advantage.
Bulgaria vs Iceland head-to-head
These nations have met only six times, and Bulgaria long held the upper hand, winning four of the first five meetings between 1988 and 2005. Iceland finally broke their duck in emphatic fashion last month, though, the 3-0 win in Reykjavik their first-ever victory over Bulgaria and a marker of how the balance has shifted.
Bulgaria vs Iceland predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 5/6 (William Hill) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Iceland are the only unbeaten side in the group and have taken eight points from four games, the form of likely group winners. |
| Both teams to score – No | 5/6 (BoyleSports) | ⭐⭐ | Bulgaria have been shut out in two of their four group games and drew a blank in the reverse fixture, so a clean sheet for the visitors is well within range. |
| Under 2.5 goals | 8/11 (William Hill) | ⭐⭐ | Bulgaria have scored more than once in a game just once all campaign, keeping totals in their matches firmly on the low side. |
| Bulgaria 0-2 Iceland | 15/2 (BoyleSports) | ⭐⭐ | Iceland kept a clean sheet in the reverse fixture, and a 2-0 margin would fit a Bulgaria side that has managed just one goal in two home games. |
Bulgaria vs Iceland score prediction
Bulgaria showed a flicker of life with that win at Luxembourg, but at home they have been short of goals and ideas, and they ran into a rampant Iceland only last month. Gunnlaugsson’s side carry the group’s standout attacker in Oskarsson and the defensive solidity to frustrate a limited host. We expect the visitors to control the game and edge towards the group title with another clean-sheet win, even if Plovdiv makes it a touch more awkward than the Reykjavik rout. Score prediction: Bulgaria 0-2 Iceland.
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