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Kick-off: 3 September @ 19:45 CET
Venue: Stadion Vasil Levski (Sofia, Bulgaria)
Past meetings
Norway v Bulgaria 2-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Norway v Bulgaria 2-1 (International friendly)
Norway v Bulgaria 1-2 (Euro 1984 qualifier)
Bulgaria v Norway 2-2 (Euro 1984 qualifier)
Norway v Bulgaria 1-4 (Euro 1972 qualifier)
Bulgaria
Last 5 matches:
Bulgaria v Malta 1-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Romania v Bulgaria 0-0 (International friendly)
Bulgaria v Italy 2-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Turkey v Bulgaria 4-0 (International friendly)
Malta v Bulgaria 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Botev forward Aleksandar Kolev has received his first ever call-up, but Vladimir Gazhev (24/1) missed out on Bulgaria squad for Euro 2021 qualifiers due to the lack of first team action at club level.
Partizan Belgrade striker Valeri Bojinov (37/6) has withdrawn due to an ankle injury, whereas goalkeeper Vladislav Stoyanov (14/0) was forced to do the same, with uncapped Blagoy Makendzhiev called as his replacement.
Hristo Zlatinski (10/0) is the favourite to replace Vladimir Gadzhev in the centre of the park, whereas Iliyan Mitsanski and Dimitar Rangelov are vying for one place in attack.
Players to watch: Ivelin Popov, Georgi Milanov.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Mihaylov – Bandalovski, A. Aleksandrov, Bodurov, Y. Minev – Dyakov, Zlatinski – Manolev, Popov, Milanov – Mitsanski.
Norway
Last 5 matches:
Norway v Estonia 0-1 (International friendly)
Azerbaijan v Norway 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Croatia v Norway 5-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Norway v Sweden 0-0 (International friendly)
Norway v Azerbaijan 0-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Uncapped Haitam Aleesami and Ole Selnaes were the new players in Norway squad for Bulgaria and Croatia games, but the latter has since withdrawn from injury. Tore Reginiussen (21/2), Magnus Eikrem (16/0) and Tarik Elyounoussi (39/9) are all missing.
Joshua King (17/4), Adama Diomande (1/0) and Pal Andre Hellan (2/0) have pulled out of the squad, with Valon Berisha (13/0), Veton Berisha (0/0), Havard Nielsen (13/2), Ruben Yttergard Jenssen (34/0) called as replacements.
Rosenborg striker Alexander Soderlund (19/0) is expected to start up front, whereas Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Odegaard (6/0) could fall victim to defence-minded tactics likely to be employed by coach Per-Mathias Hogmo.
Players to watch: Stefan Johansen, Per-Ciljan Skjelbred.
Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Nyland – Elabdellaoui, Forren, Hovland, Hogli – Johansen, Tettey, Nordtveit, Skjelbred, Henriksen – Soderlund.
Bulgaria v Norway betting odds & tips
*Trailing their next opponents by two points, Bulgaria have no choice but to go for a win and they can be backed at 2.15 (23/20).
*Meanwhile, the visitors will be quite happy to share spoils in Sofia, and draw pays 3.25 (9/4).
*Given that Bulgaria have problems up front and Norway will defend for their lives, bear in mind under 2.5 goals is available at 1.60 (3/5).
