Group C4 leaders Iceland will host last-placed Bulgaria for the first time in more than 20 years when they meet on UEFA Nations League (UNL) matchday three.
Match News and Current Form
Iceland are not at all accustomed to UNL success, having fallen from League A in its first two editions to make their League C debut in 2026/27. This finally appears to be a comfortable level for the Nordic nation, who cruised to a 3-0 win in Luxembourg on Tuesday night to collect just their third-ever victory in the competition in 24 matches (D6, L15), while also ending a seven-game winless run overall that spanned more than ten months (D3, L4). Not since UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying have Iceland recorded back-to-back victories in an official UEFA competition, highlighting the dire need for consistency as they return to home soil, where they have only beaten Azerbaijan since the start of 2025.
Bulgaria’s third straight League C journey is not going as well as the previous two so far, and after failing to win their first two home matches this campaign (D1, L1), they may be grateful that there is no relegation from the third tier this time as the competition undergoes a reformatting. Their latest result - a disappointing 0-0 draw with Estonia on Tuesday - led to manager Aleksandar Dimitrov’s resignation, with Atanas Ribarski taking over as interim boss. He faces a baptism of fire, as including their unsuccessful UNL promotion play-off against the Republic of Ireland in March 2025, the Lions have lost their last four competitive away games.
Head-to-Head History
These sides have not met since 2005, with Bulgaria unbeaten in the five previous H2Hs (W4, D1), all of which saw both teams score.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Iceland kept a clean sheet in 11 of their last 13 wins.
Six of Iceland's last seven home games produced over 3.5 goals.
Eight of Bulgaria’s last ten competitive matches featured over 2.5 goals.
Bulgaria have not trailed at half-time in any of their last seven games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Andri Guðjohnsen has now scored in six games for Blackburn or Iceland this season, ending up on the winning side in four (D2) and getting his team's opening goal in four. With Marin Petkov's last six goals for Bulgaria or Al Taawon coming on the road, this is another opportunity for him to open his account in 2026/27.
Iceland’s Stefán Teitur Þórðarson went off injured against Luxembourg, while Bulgaria do not seem to have any fresh absentees.
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Betting Analysis
With these two countries struggling for regular clean sheets, both teams to score and over 2.5 goals could be a valuable double here.
Author: Aaron Murphy