Bulgaria vs. Türkiye: World Cup Qualifying Preview, How to Watch, and Odds
The Bulgaria and Türkiye national football teams are set to clash in a crucial World Cup qualifying match on Saturday, October 11, 2025. The game, part of the UEFA qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will take place at the Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski in Sofia.
The Stakes
Both teams have points to prove in Group E. Bulgaria is currently at the bottom of the group, having lost both of their opening matches. They suffered 3-0 defeats against both Spain and Georgia. Türkiye, under the guidance of coach Vincenzo Montella, started their campaign with a 3-2 victory against Georgia but then suffered a heavy 6-0 loss at home to Spain.
How to Watch
The Bulgaria vs. Türkiye match kicks off at 19:45 BST. In the United States, fans can watch the game live on DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and ViX. FuboTV is also recommended for accessing channels that broadcast European competitions, and offers a free trial. Some games may also be available with Spanish commentary on FuboTV and UniVision networks. Live scores, team line-ups, and match stats will be available in real-time on ScoreBat.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Türkiye is considered the favorite for this match. Bookmakers have given them a 79% probability of winning. Bulgaria is seen as the underdog, with odds reflecting their recent struggles.
Here’s a summary of the odds:
- Moneyline: Bulgaria +1050, Draw +175, Turkey -385
- Handicap: Bulgaria +1.75
- Over/Under: Over 2.5 goals is favored
Several betting tips and predictions suggest a Türkiye victory. Some predict a 2-0 win for Türkiye. Hakan Calhanoglu is tipped as a potential anytime goalscorer. A bet on both teams not to score is also favored due to Bulgaria's offensive struggles.
Team News
Bulgaria:
Bulgaria's squad includes players based in the UK, such as Dimitar Mitov (Aberdeen), Filip Krastev (Oxford United), and Ilia Gruev (Leeds United). Skipper Kiril Despodov (PAOK) is also expected to feature. Emil Tsenov (Orenburg) is out due to injury. Aleksandar Dimitrov was recently appointed as the new coach.
Türkiye:
The Türkiye squad features Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, Brighton & Hove Albion full-back Ferdi Kadioglu, Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler, and Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz. Baris Alper Yilmaz is available for selection after serving a suspension.
Key Match Facts
- This is the first World Cup qualifying match between Bulgaria and Türkiye.
- Bulgaria has only won two of their last 13 World Cup qualifying matches.
- Türkiye has won five of their last seven World Cup qualifying matches away from home.
- Türkiye won the last encounter between the two nations 4-0 in a friendly match in 2015.
- Bulgaria has faced Turkey on 23 previous occasions, winning seven times.
The Coaches
Aleksandar Dimitrov is the current coach for Bulgaria. Vincenzo Montella coaches Türkiye.
What to Expect
Türkiye will be aiming to bounce back from their defeat against Spain and strengthen their position in Group E. Bulgaria, on the other hand, will be desperate to secure their first points of the qualifying campaign. Expect Türkiye to control the game and create chances, while Bulgaria will likely focus on defensive organization.
