1′ Bulgaria get the match underway from the kick-off!
Bulgaria make five changes from their 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland as coach Georgi Dermendzhiev looks to change things up. Two changes in defence see Popov and Zanev replaced by Cicinho and Goranov, while Malinov makes way in midfield for Karabelyov. The final switch comes in attack, where Delev is replaced by Karagaren.
Wales make two changes from their 1-0 victory over Finland, with Levitt making way for Smith in central midfield, and Brooks replacing Williams on the wing.
BULGARIA SUBS: Nikolay Mihaylov, Svetoslav Kovachev, Viktor Popov, Spas Delev, Martin Lukov, Dimitar Illiev, Aleksandar Tsvetkov, Stanislav Rabbotov, Plamen Galabov, Ismail Mustafa, Stahil Popov, Filip Krastev.
BULGARIA XI (4-3-3): Georgi Georgiev; Cicinho, Kristian Dimitrov, Anton Nedyalkov, Ivan Goranov; Yanis Karabelyov, Georgi Kostadinov, Galin Ivanov; Birsent Karagaren. Bozhidar Kraev, Todor Nedelev.
WALES SUBS: Neco Williams, Jonathan Williams, Ben Cabango, Dylan Levitt, Chris Gunter, Hal Robson-Kanu, James Lawrence, Danny Ward, Harry Wilson, Adam Davies, Rabbi Matondo, Will Vaulks.
WALES XI (4-2-3-1): Wayne Hennessey; Ben Davies, Ethan Ampadu, Tom Lockyer, Connor Roberts; Joe Morrell, Matthew Smith; Daniel James, Gareth Bale, David Brooks; Kieffer Moore.
With 15 minutes remaining before kick-off, let’s look at how the two sides will line up, starting with Wales!
With only one win in their last 15 matches in all competitions, Bulgaria will be looking to at least capitalise on momentum after their 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland three days ago. A lack of attacking capability has not deterred their defensive resilience, however, as the Balkan nation has been firm at the back conceding three times in their last four games.
After nearly a year without international football, Wales returned to the Nations League with a positive, yet unspectacular 1-0 victory over group-mates Finland. Runners-up to Denmark in group B in the inaugural version of the tournament, coach Ryan Giggs will be hoping his side can take it one step further this year and earn promotion to League A ahead of today’s opponents Bulgaria, Finland and the Republic of Ireland.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Nations League Group B fixture between Wales and Bulgaria!
Be the first to comment