The Matchday 6 World Cup 2026 qualifying fixture between Georgia and Bulgaria will be held on September 7 at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. Georgia vs. Bulgaria: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Georgia
Willy Sagnol's team started with a home defeat to Turkey (2-3). Over the last 26 World Cup qualifying matches, Georgia has managed only two victories (8 draws, 16 losses). This was only the second time in their last 14 World Cup qualifiers that they conceded more than two goals. Additionally, Georgia has scored two goals in each of their last three European qualifiers. The team currently sits in third place in the standings, ahead of Bulgaria on goal difference.
- The team has not won in regular time in 12 of their last 13 home World Cup qualifiers (3 draws, 9 losses).
- Georgia has not scored more than one goal in 90 minutes in 12 of their last 14 home European qualifiers.
- The team conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in 8 of their last 11 away World Cup qualifiers.
Predicted lineup for Georgia (4-4-2)
Giorgi Mamardashvili – Otar Kakabadze, Saba Goglichidze, Guram Kashia, Luka Lochoshvili – Zuriko Davitashvili, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Giorgi Tsitaishvili – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mikautadze.
Georgia's head coach Willy Sagnol is suspended for this game.
Bulgaria
In the last round, Ilian Iliev's side lost 0-3 at home to Spain. As a result, Bulgaria failed to win for the tenth time in their last 12 European qualifiers (3 draws, 7 losses). In the previous two World Cup qualifiers, the team suffered heavy defeats and did not score any goals. Bulgaria is currently at the bottom of the group standings with no points.
- The team has not won in regular time in their last ten away World Cup qualifiers (3 draws, 7 losses).
- Bulgaria scored exactly once in 90 minutes in 7 of their last 10 away European qualifiers.
- Both teams scored in 8 of Georgia's last 11 away World Cup qualifiers in regular time.
Predicted lineup for Bulgaria (4-3-3)
Svetoslav Vutsov – Fabian Nurnberger, Anton Nedyalkov, Emil Cenov, Kristian Dimitrov – Ilia Gruev, Ivaylo Chochev, Vasil Panayotov – Nikolay Minkov, Aleksandar Kolev, Radoslav Kirilov.
Referee
Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 49;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 20%.
Georgia vs. Bulgaria: Match Prediction
At home, Georgia does not always achieve the desired results, but the team strives to be as active as possible in attack and regularly finds the net. In their last ten home European qualifiers, Georgia failed to score only three times, and in their last two home matches, they scored a total of four goals against Sweden and Turkey. However, in their last 11 home World Cup qualifiers, the team managed to keep a clean sheet only once.
Bulgaria rarely picks up points in away matches, but the team is not accustomed to sitting back and tries to focus on creating chances. In their last 11 away World Cup qualifiers, the team failed to break through the defense in only three matches, scoring against opponents like Italy, France, and the Netherlands. However, Bulgaria has kept a clean sheet in only one of their last 13 away World Cup qualifiers.
I expect both teams to score in this encounter, and my prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
* The starting lineup for each team is from their previous match in this tournament.
