Georgia will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins at the beginning of their UEFA Nations League campaign when they travel to Razgrad to face Bulgaria on Sunday evening.
The visitors picked up a comprehensive win on matchday one in midweek to continue their fine form, whilst the hosts battled to earn a point in their opening game on Thursday.
Match preview
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In what should have been a fairly even encounter at the Huvepharma Arena on Thursday evening, Bulgaria were forced to play much of their opening game with North Macedonia on the back foot.
Yasen Petrov's side were up against it from the first whistle, but took an undeserved early lead through Kiril Despodov just 13 minutes into the tie.
However, their visitors continued to dominate proceedings in terms of possession and opportunities in front of goal, and eventually found their well-earned equaliser through Milan Ristovski shortly after the break.
The Lions battled hard to take away a point from the opening game however, and must now prepare for a quick turnaround and successive home fixtures to begin their Nations League campaign in Group C4.
Bulgaria would certainly fancy their chances of earning promotion back to League B following their relegation from a group containing Finland, Wales and Republic of Ireland back in 2020, but should they fail to win again on Sunday, it could well prove to be a tough ask already.
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Meanwhile, Georgia got their Nations League campaign off to the perfect start by comfortably seeing off the minnows from Gibraltar by a 4-0 scoreline in Tbilisi on Thursday.
Highly-rated winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got Willy Sagnol's side off to the perfect start inside 12 minutes, before Guram Kashia doubled their advantage before the break.
Georgia were certainly expected to dominate and win by a wide margin, but they were made to wait until the dying stages to add a third and fourth goal to seal the three points in style.
A tougher test certainly faces Sagnol and his players on Sunday however, but they head to Bulgaria full of confidence following a successful period in recent months.
In fact, Georgia find themselves on an impressive six-game unbeaten run across all competitions, which stretches back to October 2021 since a 2-0 defeat to Greece on home soil.
Excellent victories over Kosovo and Sweden saw Georgia finish a hugely disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign in style, before positive results were earned in the three international friendlies to follow.
Should they manage to pick up another victory in Bulgaria on Sunday, then Sagnol's men will certainly possess the belief that they can earn promotion to League B when this Nations League campaign comes to an end in September.
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Team News
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With no fresh injury concerns from Thursday's draw, Petrov looks to have a fully-fit Bulgaria squad to choose from on Sunday.
Atanas Iliev found himself hooked at half time against North Macedonia after an ineffective first half, in which his nation struggled, and the Ascoli striker may well find himself amongst the substitutes on Sunday as a result.
The back four is likely to remain unchanged however, with brothers Petko Hristov and Andrea Hristov set to partner each other in the heart of the defence once more.
As for the visitors, Sagnol would surely be eager to leave his starting 11 unchanged from Thursday's victory, although Giorgi Tsitaishvili's injury shortly before half time is likely to force him into a change on the left flank.
Guram Giorbelidze put in a solid display in the left wing-back role in his place, and he is likely to be the only change as Georgia go in search of back-to-back victories at the beginning of their Nations League campaign.
Napoli winger Kvaratskhelia will be the one to watch again in the Georgian attack, after netting nine goals and registering three assists in his last 10 games for club and country.
Bulgaria possible starting lineup:
Mihaylov; Turitsov, P Hristov, A Hristov, Nedyalkov; Kostadinov, Chochev; Milanov, Nedelev, Despodov; M Minchev
Georgia possible starting lineup:
Loria; Kakabadze, Kashia, Khocholava; Lobjanidze, Mekvabishvili, Aburjania, Giorbelidze; Chakvetadze, Kvaratskhelia; Mikautadze
We say: Bulgaria 1-1 Georgia
Although Georgia find themselves heading to Bulgaria on the back of some fine form in recent months, Sunday's Nations League clash could well prove to be a difficult encounter to come away with a win from.
The hosts are a difficult side to beat on their day, and they will find hope in the 4-1 victory in this fixture during a friendly back in September, but we can see the two nations cancelling each other and taking a share of the points on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matthew Tranter
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