Preview: Bulgaria vs. Georgia - prediction, team news, lineups

These two sides last met way back in 2009 for a World Cup qualifier, with the game proving to be a very one-sided affair as Bulgaria ran out 6-2 winners.

Match preview

The hosts come into this game on the back of a solid pair of qualification games, which should have provided them with a confidence boost.

Having taken three games to earn their first point of this qualification campaign, Bulgaria were likely not expecting to get much out of a trip to European champions Italy.

However, an Atanas Iliev goal late in the first half cancelled out a sensational opener from Federico Chiesa, and the Lions held on for a hard-earned 1-1 draw in Florence.

They followed that up with a victory at home to Lithuania in a game featuring an action-packed final 10 minutes - Ivaylo Chochev earned his side the lead in the 82nd minute, only to see goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov sent off barely 60 seconds later.

Yasen Petrov's men hung on as the yellow card was brandished three more times before the final whistle and now sit third in Group C.

Whilst Bulgaria's hopes of qualifying remain something of a pipedream - they are still two points behind Switzerland despite having played two more games - theirs is a situation Georgia can only dream of.

The Georgians are bidding to qualify for the finals of a World Cup for the first time in their history, but have earned just one point from their first five fixtures.

Their draw against Greece back in March feels a world away now and the Crusaders have conceded eight in their last three games without scoring once themselves.

Spain were the most recent beneficiaries of the fragile Georgian defence, putting four past them during their Group B qualifier on Sunday evening.

Former Bayern Munich right-back Willy Sagnol took over the reigns earlier in the year, after four years out of management, and claimed his side "will have no chance if we don't take risks". So far, those risks are not paying off.

Bulgaria International Friendlies form:

Bulgaria form (all competitions):

Georgia International Friendlies form:

Georgia form (all competitions):

Team News

As mentioned, experienced goalkeeper Mihaylov was sent off in the game against Lithuania for remonstrating with the referee.

However, since that was a World Cup qualifying game and this is a friendly, the suspension will apply to the second game against Lithuania next month and he will still be available for selection here.

Petrov may choose to give some non-regulars a chance, though, especially considering his team have now played three games in the space of a week.

Much like his Bulgarian counterpart, Sagnol is expected to shake things up a little.

One-cap wonder Lazare Kupatadze might take his place between the sticks, with first-choice goalkeeper Giorgi Loria dropping to the bench, whilst Valeri Qazaishvili and Giorgi Kvilitaia could be brought in to inject more attacking firepower into the side.

Bulgaria possible starting lineup:

Naumov; Turitsov, Bozhikov, Antov, Nedyalkov; Kostadinov, Chochev, Yankov; Delev, Iliev, Kirilov

Georgia possible starting lineup:

Kupatadze; Kakabadze, Kashia, Khocholava, Giorbelidze; Tsitaishvili, Chakvetadze, Altunashvili, Qazaishvili; Kvilitaia, Zaria

We say: Bulgaria 2-1 Georgia

Georgia have beaten Bulgaria just once, during qualification for Euro 1996, and their chances of earning a second victory here do not appear strong. We expect Bulgaria, buoyed by their last two results, to come away a the victory in this encounter.