Bulgaria vs Turkey Prediction & Betting Tips (11 October)

Bulgaria enters the October 11 clash against Turkey with a renewed sense of purpose, having shown flashes of resilience in their recent qualifiers. Under the guidance of head coach Ilian Iliev, the team has leaned heavily on the experience of Kiril Despodov and the emerging talent of Martin Minchev. Their last few outings have been a mixed bag, with a narrow loss to Georgia and a hard-fought draw against Wales. Playing at the Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski in Sofia, Bulgaria will be banking on home advantage to tip the scales in their favor.

Turkey, meanwhile, has had a rollercoaster qualifying campaign. They secured a promotion in the UEFA Nations League earlier this year, but a crushing 6–0 defeat to Spain in September exposed defensive vulnerabilities. Coach Stefan Kuntz has been juggling injuries and form issues, most notably the setback of losing Hakan Çalhanoğlu to injury during the clash against Wales. Still, the squad boasts attacking firepower in the form of Cengiz Ünder and Arda Güler, who have been instrumental in Turkey’s more promising performances.

The tactical battle promises intrigue. Bulgaria’s compact midfield and counter-attacking style will be tested against Turkey’s high press and quick transitions. Both teams have shown inconsistency, but also moments of brilliance that could swing the match either way. With the stakes high in Group E, this fixture could be pivotal in shaping the qualification landscape for both nations. Fans can expect a physical contest, with set pieces and midfield duels likely to play a decisive role.

As for the prediction, we’re leaning toward a 2:1 scoreline in favor of Bulgaria. The home crowd, coupled with Turkey’s recent defensive lapses and injury woes, could give Iliev’s men the edge they need. Expect a tense finish, with Bulgaria snatching the winner late in the second half.