Bulgaria and Spain clash in a crucial European World Cup
qualifier at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia on
Thursday.
Both sides will be looking for a positive start to their
qualification campaigns in Group E, which also contains
Turkey and Georgia
Bulgaria vs Spain – Match Preview
and Team News
Date: Thursday 4th September.
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST.
Venue: Stadion Vasil Levski, Sofia.
Bulgaria Team News
Manager Ilian Iliev is expected to adopt a defensive
approach, likely deploying a five-man backline to try and
contain Spain’s potent attack. That setup may see Nikolay
Minkov, Kristian Dimitrov, Aleks Petkov, Anton Nedyalkov,
and Fabian Nurnberger all included in defence.
Aberdeen shot-stopper Dimitar Mitov appears poised to get
the nod as Bulgaria’s starting goalkeeper, though Levski
Sofia’s Svetoslav Vutsov remains a viable challenger for a
place between the posts.

Spain Team News
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has welcomed back key
duo Rodri and Dani Carvajal following their returns from
cruciate ligament injuries. The coach praised both players
as “the best in the world in their positions” and
emphasized their leadership qualities both on and off the
pitch. Lamine Yamal is set to resume his partnership with Nico
Williams on the flanks, with De la Fuente acknowledging
the Barcelona teenager is “under tremendous media
pressure” but praising his maturity and natural talent.
Yeremy Pino has been replaced by Jorge de Frutos after
suffering a weekend injury, while Gavi, Fabian Ruiz and
Joan García miss out through injury and tactical
decisions.

Form
Bulgaria: DLLDL
The Lions enter in poor form, winless in their last five
matches including heavy defeats to Greece (4- and
Republic of Ireland (2-1). Defensive vulnerabilities have
been evident throughout this run, conceding multiple goals
in most fixtures.

Spain: WDWWL
La Roja demonstrated their attacking prowess with a
thrilling 5-4 victory over France in the Nations League
semi-final, though they suffered penalty ****out
heartbreak against Portugal in the final. The European
champions remain unbeaten in seven away matches and
have scored in nine consecutive fixtures.

Predicted Lineups
Bulgaria: Mitov; Minkov, Antov, Petrov, Nedyalkov; Petkov,
Milanov; Petkov, Despodov, Kraev; Milanov
Spain: Unai Simón; Carvajal, Le Normand, Vivian,
Cucurella; Rodri, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Morata, Nico
Williams.