We are now less than a month away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and we have some intriguing contests taking place this week with teams striving to be among the 48.
Group E is yet to get underway and it is an intriguing one that consists of Bulgaria alongside European champions Spain, as well as two of the most entertaining teams from UEFA EURO 2024 last summer, Georgia and Spain.
The Bulgarians face an uphill task here, and they are declining even further as a footballing force as they welcome the impressive and dominant Spaniards to the Vasil Levski this week.
The Sporting News previews this one with the latest betting odds, tips and predictions.
Bulgaria vs. Spain prediction
Bulgaria may want to believe they can benefit from a hostile home advantage, but the expectation is we will see a dominant display from La Furia Roja in eastern Europe.
In what could be a tough group, Spain should get off a comfortable winning start and they are priced up at 1/11 with Sky Bet, with Bulgaria out at 18/1 and the draw at 15/2.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Bulgaria 0-3 Spain
- Spain to beat Bulgaria is rated as a 91.7% possible chance according to Sky Bet.
- Learn more about reading odds, different types of bets and the best online betting sites through our how to bet on football guide
Bulgaria vs. Spain expected lineups
Here's how we think these two sides will line up at the Vasil Levski.
Bulgaria lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
- Mitov (GK) — Minkov, Dimitrov, Petrov, Nedyalkov — Kraev, Gruev — L. Petkov, M. Petkov, Nurenberger — Despodov
Injured: Antov, Ivanov, Yordanov
Suspended: None
Spain lineup (4-3-3, right to left)
- Unai Simon (GK) — Dani Carvajal, Pau Cubarsi, Dean Huijsen, Cucurella — Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz — Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Bulgaria vs. Spain latest odds, correct score betting
Our 0-3 prediction is at good odds with Sky Bet, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at for this one. Here's a look at some of the most likely outcomes according to the bookmakers.
Result | Odds* |
Spain 3-0 | |
Spain 2-0 | |
Spain 1-0 | |
Spain 4-0 | |
Spain 2-1 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Back your correct score pick with Sky Bet for £50 in FREE bets when you bet £10 on accas
Bulgaria vs. Spain team news
- Bulgaria have a fairly limited squad with the standout names in the form of Leeds United midfielder Ilia Gruev, as well as captain and crucial attacker Kirill Despodov.
- Luis de la Fuente has managed to cultivate a deep and impressive Spain squad, and La Roja have welcomed back the experience of Dani Carvajal and Rodri after injury.
- The expectation for this one is that Ferran Torres finds himself in the front three, perhaps displacing key man and captain Alvaro Morata, now at Como.
Bulgaria vs. Spain Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this game is for Spain to win (1/11), over 6.5 Spanish corners (5/6), Spain to win with a -2 handicap (11/10), as well as a goal and 3 or more corners in each half (11/10), which comes to 3.96/1 overall with Sky Bet.
You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
How to watch Bulgaria vs. Spain: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Thursday, August 4
- Venue: Vasil Levski, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Time: 7:45 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: Amazon Prime