World Cup Qualifying Preview: Bulgaria - Georgia

No Hope For Bulgaria

Bulgaria had a slim chance of earning a play-off place at the expense of Ireland before the latest round of World Cup qualifiers, but those hopes were quickly quashed at the weekend.

The mathematics in Group 8 showed that Stanimir Stoilov's team could win both their games and edge ahead of Giovanni Trapattoni's outfit if the Irish lost both of their matches.

Things started well enough for Dimitar Berbatov and company as they created chances against unfancied Cyprus in Larnaca before Konstantinos Charalambides netted twice and Michalis Konstantinou and Efstathios Aloneftis added one apiece for the hosts.

That 4-1 reverse soundly ended any hope Bulgaria had of qualification and means that the game in midweek against Georgia is academic and all about playing for pride and giving fringe players an opportunity.

Encouraging Signs

For the visitors to Sofia on Wednesday, pride is certainly what this campaign has been all about as they were not expected to trouble the top two places.

Despite their ranking as complete underdogs though, the Georgians have come surprisingly close to causing more than just the odd upset as they have proven to be a very difficult side to break down.

In none of their nine matches has the opposition, which includes world champions Italy, been able to score more than two goals, with Bulgaria and Montenegro being unable to score at all in games in Tbilisi.

Former Valencia and Inter coach Hector Cuper has seen Georgia revive its fortunes slightly and will be able to hold their heads up even if they have already been assured of a last place finish.


RECENT FORM
 
Bulgaria

October 10 v Cyprus (A) 1-4 (WCQ)

September 9 v Italy (A) 0-2 (WCQ)

September 5 v Montenegro (H) 4-1 (WCQ)

August 13 v Latvia (H) 1-0 (Friendly)

June 6  v Ireland (H) 1-1 (WCQ)

Georgia

October 10 v Montenegro (A) 1-2 (WCQ)

September 9 v Iceland (A) 1-3 (Friendly)

September 5 v Italy (H) 0-2 (WCQ)

August 12 v Malta (A) 0-2 (Friendly)

June 6 v Albania 1-1 (Friendly)



TEAM NEWS

Bulgaria

Goalkeepers: Dimitar Ivankov (Bursaspor), Nikolay Mihaylov (Twente Enschede).

Defenders: Stanislav Manolev (PSV Eindhoven), Alexandar Tunchev (Leicester City).

Midfielders: Stilian Petrov (Aston Villa), Stanislav Angelov (Energie Cottbus), Blagoy Georgiev (Terek Grozny), Chavdar Yankov (Duisburg), Martin Petrov (Manchester City).

Strikers: Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United), Dimitar Rangelov (Borussia Dortmund), Valeri Domovchiyski (Hertha Berlin), Valeri Bojinov (Parma)

Georgia

Goalkeepers: Giorgi Lomaia, Zurab Mamaaladze, Grigol Bediashvili.

Defenders: Kakha Kaladze, Giorgi Popkhadze, Ucha Lobjanidze, Amiran Sanaia, Guram Kashia, Aleksandr Kvakhadze, Zurab Khizanishvili.

Midfielders: Levan Kobiashvili, Levan Kenia, Davit Devdariani, Levan Khmaladze, Luka Razmadze, Levan Tskitishvili, David Odikadze, Jaba Liartia.

Forwards: Levan Mchedlidze, Vladimir Dvalishvili, Giorgi Merebashvili, Nikoloz Gelashvili, Alexander Iashvili.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dimitar Berbatov (Bulgaria)

If the Manchester United striker plays then he will have to do a lot better than he did at the weekend. Having answered critics with his displays for the Red Devils in the Premier League, he has yet to answered his doubters at international level as he does not have the same talent to carry him for Bulgaria.

Levan Kobiashvili (Georgia)

The country's record appearance holder is still going and he could be key to stopping the home side from being able to find a way through in this encounter. A veteran of the Bundesliga, the 32-year-old knows about playing at a higher level and will lead from the middle.


PREDICTION

If Bulgaria were playing anyone else then they could be in for another demoralising defeat, but Georgia will go to Sofia looking to defend and demanding that their hosts ask the questions while they sit back. If the reverse happens it could be entertaining, but if not then a narrow home win is on the cards.

Bulgaria 2 - 1 Georgia

Lucas Brown, Goal.com