Levi Rothermund
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Bulgaria host Estonia in the UEFA Nations League on Tuesday 29 September 2026, and these predicted lineups look at how each head coach might approach the game. With no confirmed absentees flagged in the data for either camp, the real selection question is simpler than usual: does either side change anything at all from the XI that started last time out, or do both coaches simply run it back? That is the angle this preview follows below.
Bulgaria Predicted Lineup
Aleksandar Dimitrov’s side is projected in a 4-2-3-1, which lines up as his own preferred formation. The shape looks largely settled, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match, so there is little guesswork involved in the spine of the side. Two names stand out for the opposite reason: Andrian Kraev and Kristiyan Stoyanov are included here without having started that most recent match, making them the two places in this XI most open to change. Everyone else projected to start did so last time out, which is a reasonable basis for expecting continuity in front of goal and across the back four.
Bulgaria predicted XI: Daniel Naumov; Kristian Dimitrov, Teodor·Valentinov Ivanov, Ivan Turitsov, Dimitar Velkovski; Emil Tsenov, Ilia Gruev, Asen Chandarov, Andrian Kraev, Kristiyan Stoyanov; Zdravko Dimitrov
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 1 | Last 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Daniel Naumov | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 5 | Kristian Dimitrov | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 15 | Teodor·Valentinov Ivanov | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 19 | Ivan Turitsov | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 21 | Dimitar Velkovski | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 22 | Emil Tsenov | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | Ilia Gruev | 1/1 | 1/1 | |
| M | Asen Chandarov | 1/1 | 1/1 | |
| M | 8 | Andrian Kraev | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| M | Kristiyan Stoyanov | 0/1 | 0/1 | |
| F | 10 | Zdravko Dimitrov | 1/1 | 1/1 |
Predicted Estonia Line-up
Jürgen Henn also sets Estonia up in a 4-2-3-1, again matching his preferred formation. This expected XI is described as largely settled too, with 9 of the projected XI starting their last match, so the base shape should be recognisable. As with Bulgaria, two selections carry more uncertainty than the rest: Markus Soomets and Patrik Kristal are both projected starters despite not having started the last match, which puts a question mark over the middle of Estonia’s midfield three behind the forward line.
Estonia predicted XI: Karl Hein; Märten Kuusk, Maksim Paskotsi, Rasmus Peetson, Karol Mets; Mattias Käit, Kevor Palumets, Markus Poom, Markus Soomets, Patrik Kristal; Mihkel Ainsalu
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 1 | Last 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Karl Hein | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 2 | Märten Kuusk | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 3 | Maksim Paskotsi | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 6 | Rasmus Peetson | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| D | 18 | Karol Mets | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 4 | Mattias Käit | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 10 | Kevor Palumets | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 20 | Markus Poom | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| M | 8 | Markus Soomets | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| M | 14 | Patrik Kristal | 0/1 | 0/1 |
| F | 11 | Mihkel Ainsalu | 1/1 | 1/1 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
For Bulgaria, no absentees are recorded in the data, so there is nothing here to thin out any particular line and Dimitrov can, in theory, pick from a fully available group. If he does look to freshen things up, Georgi Rusev is the bench option with the most recent starting experience among those not currently projected in the XI, making him a plausible option to come into the side.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2y8m4zh8vd9vql0 | injured | Unknown Injury |
It is the same picture for Estonia: no absentees are recorded in the data, leaving Henn’s group of options intact on paper. Should he want to rotate, karel mustmaa is the bench name with the most recent starting experience and would be the logical first alternative to bring into the team news conversation.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8yomo4hz602q0j6 | injured | Cruciate Ligament Rupture | |
| n54qllhx7jjqvy9 | injured | Cruciate ligament stretch |
How These Line-ups Were Picked
Each predicted lineup here is built strictly from that side’s own recent history rather than any official announcement: Bulgaria’s projection draws on their last one lineup, and Estonia’s on their last one lineup too, with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones. Any player confirmed injured or suspended in the data is removed before the XI is built. Because only one match was available for each side, this is a genuinely tentative projection rather than a settled read, and it can and will change once the official team news is confirmed.
Read also: Bulgaria vs Estonia Prediction: 29.09.2026 UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Preview
Read also: Bulgaria vs Estonia Head-to-Head: Record, Stats and Form as of 27 Sep 2026
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Bulgaria vs Estonia?
Daniel Naumov is projected in goal for Bulgaria, with Karl Hein expected to start between the posts for Estonia, based on each keeper’s most recent appearance.
What formation are Bulgaria and Estonia expected to use?
Both head coaches are projected to use a 4-2-3-1, which is described as each manager’s own preferred shape in the data behind this preview.
Are there any confirmed injuries or suspensions for Bulgaria vs Estonia?
No absentees are recorded in the data for either Bulgaria or Estonia, so both coaches appear to have their squads available heading into this UEFA Nations League fixture.
When do Bulgaria and Estonia kick off?
The match kicks off on Tuesday 29 September 2026.