![\"Bulgaria\"](\"https:\/\/buix.s3-sa-east-1.amazonaws.com\/teams\/ad53acd6-37ce-4e99-ab08-2e0984569f13-Bulgaria\")
<\/p>\nSoccer \/ World Cup \u2013 Qualification Europe<\/p>\n
04\/09\/2025 \u2013 19:45<\/p>\n
Bulgaria<\/p>\n
VS<\/p>\n
![\"Spain\"](\"https:\/\/buix.s3-sa-east-1.amazonaws.com\/teams\/bdb8d8c6-fbdc-4fbd-b4c6-d588ce18955f-Spain.png\")
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Spain<\/p>\n
\n Odds updated on September 4, 2025 at 1:10 am <\/p>\n
European champions Spain begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with an away clash against Bulgaria in Sofia on Thursday. Both sides are part of Group E, which also features Turkey and Georgia. Only the group winner earned automatic qualification.<\/p>\n
While Spain are favorites to dominate, Bulgaria will aim to spring a surprise and start strongly despite being the lowest-ranked team in the group. The Lions have not featured in a World Cup since 1998, making this campaign an uphill battle.<\/p>\n
Bulgaria vs Spain PreviewBulgaria<\/p>\n
Ilian Iliev\u2019s side returns to competitive action after a disappointing Nations League playoff defeat to the Republic of Ireland. The loss confirmed their continued stay in League C. Their recent form has been worrying. They drew 2-2 against Cyprus followed by losing 4-0 to Greece in June.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov is set to start, though Levski Sofia\u2019s Svetoslav Vutsov is an option. Bulgaria is likely to adopt a defensive back-five system. Players like Nikolay Minkov, Kristian Dimitrov, Anton Nedyalkov, Aleks Petkov, and Fabian Nurnberger set to feature. Up front, Aleksandar Kolev is expected to lead the frontline ahead of Vladimir Nikolov.<\/p>\n
Also Read: Netherlands vs Poland Preview, Betting Odds and Predictions \u2013 04\/09\/2025<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Spain<\/p>\n Spain approach this game after narrowly missing out on back-to-back Nations League titles. They lost to Portugal on penalties in the final. Injuries have sidelined Gavi, Fabian Ruiz, and Yeremy Pino. Thus, prompting call-ups for Aleix Garcia and Jorge de Frutos. Teen sensation Lamine Yamal is fresh from an impressive start to the season with Barcelona.<\/p>\n He\u00a0 will look to shine on the international stage. Mikel Oyarzabal is in contention to start ahead of Ferran Torres, who is chasing his 50th cap. La Roja are unbeaten in away qualifiers for over two years. This makes them the strong favorites to claim all three points in Sofia.<\/p>\n Bulgaria vs Spain Over\/ Under PredictionsTotal Goals Over 2.5 @ -200 as per BetMGM:<\/a><\/p>\n The market\u2019s strong lean toward more than 2.5 goals reflects Spain\u2019s overwhelming firepower. Rarely letting up, La Roja have bagged at least two goals in each of their last seven matches. As reigning European champions, they\u2019ve scored freely across friendlies, Nations League clashes, and qualifiers. It seems high-scoring games are a hallmark of their style.<\/p>\n On the other hand, Bulgaria, by contrast, have struggled. They suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to Greece and a modest 2-2 draw against Cyprus in friendlies ahead of this match. Coupling Spain\u2019s ruthless attacking form and Bulgaria\u2019s deteriorating form, the over 2.5 total goals line is firmly justified.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bulgaria vs Spain Player PicksFerran Torres to score anytime @ +105 as per FanDuel:<\/a><\/p>\n Ferran Torres offers excellent value at +105, thanks to his proven scoring pedigree for Spain. Having netted multiple international goals in recent years, he\u2019s a consistent contributor. This includes emphatic strikes against European competitors. If given minutes, Torres is a fixture for opportunistic attacking runs into the box. Spain is bound to dominate the clash. His instincts position him as a confident anytime-goal bet against a struggling Bulgarian defense.<\/p>\n Nico Williams to either score or assist anytime @ +135 as per FanDuel:<\/a><\/p>\n Nico Williams combines pace and creativity. This makes him a perfect dual-threat option at +135. He has become vital to Spain\u2019s fluid attack, particularly down the flanks alongside fellow prodigy Lamine Yamal. Spain\u2019s offensive dominance and Bulgaria\u2019s defensive vulnerabilities make Williams a viable pick. That is, even if he doesn\u2019t score, his chances to create or assist are substantial.<\/p>\n
![\"Moumita](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/30.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"soccer\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/soccer.png\")