Bulgaria and Spain will begin their bids to qualify for the World Cup when they lock horns at the Vasil Levski National Stadium on Thursday night.
The two nations have been housed in Group E alongside Georgia and Turkey.
It’s been almost three decades since Bulgaria last graced the World Cup stage, with the Lions' last appearance coming way back in 1998.
Ilian Iliev and his side’s preparations for their Group E curtain-raiser were far from ideal, falling to a 4-0 friendly loss to Greece back in June.
Meanwhile, Spain will be looking to bounce back from a penalty shootout defeat against Portugal in the Nations League final earlier this year.
After triumphing at Euro 2024 last summer, La Roja head the outright betting for next year’s World Cup at a general 5/1 with most bookmakers.
How the bookies view it: Spain firm favourites
This appears to be a complete mismatch on paper, with a Spain victory as short as 1/9 on Boylesports. However, combining a Spanish success alongside under 3.5 goals will bring about a more palatable price at 20/23 on Boylesports.
Bulgaria are as big as 25/1 on Boylesports to pull off a shock victory while the draw is also considered improbable at 15/2 with the same firm.
Head to head: A rare encounter
Bulgaria and Spain will square off for just the second time ever on Thursday night. The pair last crossed paths in a friendly fixture way back in 2002, with Spain running out 1-0 winners on that occasion.
Players to watch: Look to Lamine
Having netted three goals across his last three appearances for his country, Lamine Yamal looks terrific value at 8/5 (PaddyPower) in the anytime goalscorer market on Thursday night. It's also worth noting that the Barcelona boy wonder has scored in two of his three outings in La Liga this season.
Dimitar Mitov is expected to be between the sticks for Bulgaria on Thursday night. It would be fair to say that the Aberdeen stopper could be in for a busy night against what is a star-studded Spain side.
Predicted line-ups
Other than Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev and the aforementioned Mitov, there are not too many household names in the Bulgaria team.
Spain’s already talented squad will be boosted by the returns of Dani Carvajal and Rodri, both of whom missed the majority of last season with long-term injuries.
Bulgaria: Mitov; Nedyalkov, H.Petrov, Bozhinov, Minkov; Gruev, Kraev; Kirilov, Petkov, Minchev; Despodov
Spain: Raya; Carvajal, Huijsen, Vivian, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Ruiz, Pedri; Williams, Morata, Yamal
Anything else catch the eye?
The 6/5 on PaddyPower for Spain to win this clash either 1-0, 2-0 or 3-0 holds plenty of appeal.
While Bulgaria are lacking in star power, a hostile home support can ensure that the Lions can keep the scoreline respectable.
That being said, it’s difficult to envisage the hosts landing a blow on Spain’s defence, making the above-mentioned selection well worthy of support.
GambleAware