Czech Republic v Bulgaria predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Czech Republic v Bulgaria predictions World Cup Qualifiers, International	16/10/2012 20:00	full time result	Czech Republic win	1.57	Bet at Ladbrokes
Betting prediction was written by Ian

CZECH REPUBLIC v BULGARIA PREDICTIONS AND PREVIEW: BETTING STATS

Czech Republic are currently 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings They reached the last eight in South Africa but did not qualify for Euro 2012. Czech Republic have scored 11 goals in their last eleven matches and conceded 11. Bulgaria are currently 55th in the FIFA World Rankings. They did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup or Euro 2012. Bulgaria have scored 14 goals in their last eleven matches and conceded 12.

TEAM NEWS AND RUN OF PLAY

The Czech Republic side are not in the same class as the team that reached the final of Euro 1996 and have been regular qualifiers for major tournaments since then. Scoring goals is a problem as this side have a solid defence. Their key player is Jaroslav Plasil in midfield who looks to create the chances for a forward line that is not prolific in front of goal. Iselin Popov and Valerie Bojinov are Bulgaria's current strikers but both have a poor international scoring record of about one goal every six games.

Jaroslav Plasil and Petr Jiracek dominated possession against Malta last week. They held on to the ball for long periods and Malta's midfield players could not get into the game. A share of possession of 70% is rare at this level but Czech Republic dominated to this extent against Malta. The score in this game was 1-1 at half time as Malta took advantage of a rare period of attackinhg momentum to score totally against the run of play. In view of such ascendancy a tally of just three goals may appear low. Significantly only slightly more than half of the Czech's shots were on target and interestingly the three forwards in the current squad have scored just four goals in total in 40 international matches. The home side can dominate possesion against Bulgaria but need to be more decisive in front of goal to achive the expected win.

CZECH REPUBLIC - BULGARIA PREDICTIONS: 1X2 BETTING PREVIEW

Czech Republic had lost their last two matches at home, against Portugal and Finland, the latter being a particular poor result, before beating an average Malta side 3-1 last Friday. They failed to score in either match but conceded just once on each occasion. After Euro 2012 Czech Republic did not score in three matches. Bulgaria appear to have a good chance of drawing this game but they lost to Cyprus away from home recently and the hosts in this game are a better side. The home side might have to wait until the second half to score the decisive goal but that could be enough to win the match.

Back Czech Republic at 1.57 with Ladbrokes

CZECH REPUBLIC - BULGARIA PREDICTIONS: ASIAN HANDICAP PREVIEW

With a home win anticipated but only with minimal supremacy Czech Republic should be considered at -0.75 on the handicap. Cyprus are unlikely to score in this match and Czech Republic have been far from prolific this year so correct score bettors may consider 1-0 to the home side. Beginners not familiar with Asian Handicap can find info here: http://howtobet.net/online-betting-guide/asian-handicap

Take the Czech Republic -0.75 at 1.93 with BetVictor.

CZECH REPUBLIC - BULGARIA PREDICTIONS: TOTAL GOALS PREVIEW

All the statistics and evidence points to a low scoring game. Both sides average less than one goal scored this year and the respective defences tend to limit the number of goals conceded. Neither side are playing confidently in front of goal and in a game of few chances the first goal can be decisive.

Pinnacle Sports go less than 3 goals at 1.69.