Bulgaria vs Georgia Prediction & Betting Tips (18 November)

The upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifier between Bulgaria and Georgia has drawn attention not only because of the historical rivalry between these two Eastern European sides but also due to their contrasting form in recent months. Bulgaria, under coach Aleksandar Dimitrov, has been struggling to find consistency, with their FIFA ranking slipping to 91 as of October 2025. In the past two months, Bulgarian football has been dominated by discussions about their heavy defeats against Spain and Turkey, which exposed defensive frailties and a lack of attacking sharpness. Meanwhile, Georgia, led by Willy Sagnol, has been riding a wave of optimism, with their FIFA ranking climbing to 70. Their federation has been praised for investing in youth development, and recent headlines have highlighted the growing influence of Guram Kashia’s leadership and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s creativity in midfield. This clash is not just about qualification points but about pride and momentum heading into the final stages of the campaign.

Looking at Bulgaria’s recent matches, the picture is bleak. On October 14, they were dismantled by Spain in Valladolid, losing 4-0, a result that followed a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Turkey just days earlier. Their September fixtures were equally disappointing, with a 3-0 loss away to Georgia and a 3-0 home defeat to Spain. Even friendlies earlier in June offered little respite, as they were beaten 4-0 by Greece after drawing 2-2 with Cyprus. Across these fixtures, Bulgaria conceded a staggering number of goals, showing little resilience in defense and rarely threatening in attack. The Bulgarian press has been critical of the team’s inability to adapt tactically, and fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress. The team’s morale appears low, and the pressure is mounting on Dimitrov to deliver something positive before the qualification campaign slips completely out of reach.

Georgia, in contrast, has shown flashes of promise despite facing tough opponents. Their October fixtures included a narrow 2-0 defeat away to Spain and a 4-1 loss to Turkey, but they had earlier beaten Bulgaria convincingly 3-0 in Tbilisi on September 7. That victory was a statement of intent, showcasing their ability to dominate possession and capitalize on Bulgaria’s defensive lapses. In June, Georgia recorded a 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands and a 1-1 draw against Cape Verde, demonstrating their ability to grind out results against varied opposition. Earlier in March, they crushed Armenia in the Nations League play-offs with aggregate wins of 3-0 and 6-1, proving their attacking depth. Recent news has highlighted the growing confidence within the Georgian camp, with Sagnol emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and discipline. The team’s blend of experienced leaders and emerging talents has created a balanced squad capable of competing at a higher level than Bulgaria.

Given the stark contrast in form and confidence, the prediction for this match leans heavily in Georgia’s favor. Bulgaria’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of attacking cohesion make them susceptible to another heavy defeat, especially against a Georgian side that has already beaten them convincingly in recent months. Georgia’s midfield creativity and clinical finishing are expected to exploit Bulgaria’s weaknesses, while their defense has shown enough resilience to withstand limited Bulgarian pressure. Taking all these factors into account, the most realistic outcome appears to be a decisive Georgian victory. The forecasted correct score is 0:3, reflecting Georgia’s superiority and Bulgaria’s ongoing struggles in this qualification campaign.