Spain have won five of their six previous meetings with Bulgaria, including all three since a 1-1 draw at Euro '96. Their first-ever encounter was la Roja run out 13-0 winners in Madrid in 1933, which remains both Spain's biggest-ever victory and Bulgaria's heaviest-ever defeat.
Spain vs Bulgaria preview
Will Spain make it four wins out of four in World Cup qualification? On Saturday night, the European champions continue their unbeaten streak by beating Georgia 2-0 in Elche; Yéremy Pino and then Mikel Oyarzabal the scorers at Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.
Last month, Luis de la Fuente's team began this campaign with two very impressive wins on the road, swatting aside Bulgaria 3-0 in Sofia, all the goals coming prior to half time, before demolishing Türkiye 6-0 in Konya, Mikel Merino bagging a hat-trick that night.
This all means Spain are now, technically, unbeaten in 28 competitive fixtures, crowned European champions in Berlin during this period, albeit they did fail to retain the UEFA Nations League, beaten on penalties by neighbours Portugal in June's final in Munich. In terms of World Cup qualification, Spain should cruise to top spot in Group E, so will they move three point closer to this target?
Bulgaria meantime travel to Valladolid in horrendous form, very much set to be the group's whipping boys. Having lost 3-0 to both Spain at home and Georgia in Tbilisi last month, the Lions were ignominiously hammered 6-1 by Türkiye at Vasil Levski National Stadium on Saturday, conceding 6+ in a home match for just the second time ever, also doing so when England visited in 2019.
This though should be no surprise. Bulgaria have lost all five competitive outings in 2025, winning just seven of their last 51 competitive fixtures, only managing to beat Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, Gibraltar, Lithuania and Czechia in the last seven years. Thus, those inside Estadio José Zorrilla should expect to witness an emphatic Spanish victory on Tuesday.
Spain vs Bulgaria head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 6.
- Spain Wins: 5. Draws: 1. Bulgaria Wins: Zero.
Spain team news
Luis de la Fuente is without Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, Rodri, Fermín López, Fabián Ruiz, Gavi, Isco, Dani Olmo and Álvaro Morata, among others, but still has plenty of high-quality players.
Superstar wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, who transformed this team, are also both missing; Ferran Torres and Yéremy Pino were given the unenviable task of deputising at the weekend, but the new Crystal Palace forward was on target against Georgia.
Arsenal duo Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, scorer of a hat-trick last month, will continue alongside Pedri in midfield, with 18 year old Pau Cubarsí keeping his place at the back.
Spain predicted lineup vs Bulgaria: (4-3-3): Simón; Porro, Cubarsí, Le Normand, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri, Merino; Torres, Yéremy, Oyarzabal.
Spain player to watch vs Bulgaria
While Real Sociedad as a club continue to find goals hard to come by, Mikel Oyarzabal cannot stop scoring at international level. He bagged his 18th for la Roja at the weekend, previously on target in both the final of the Euros and Nations League, so will his scoring spree continue in Valladolid?
Bulgaria team news
Since taking charge last month, Aleksandar Dimitrov has lost all three matches in charge, with the Lions conceding 12 goals and scoring just one, a ratio that could worsen on Tuesday.
Captain Kiril Despodov is the squad's top scorer with 15 for Bulgaria, but the most-recent of those came 13 months ago, and he'll do well to end that barren period at Estadio José Zorrilla.
Bulgaria predicted lineup vs Spain: (4-5-1): Mitov; Turitsov, Bozhinov, Hristov, Petrov; Gruev, Kraev, Dimitrov, Krastev, Kirilov; Despodov.
Bulgaria player to watch vs Spain
Dimitar Mitov of Aberdeen will win his 13th international cap in goal. To date, he has conceded 21 goals and kept just five clean sheets, so should be prepared for a busy night's work.
Spain vs Bulgaria prediction
Spain will cruise to victory at Estadio José Zorrilla, no doubt about that, with the only question mark surrounding how many goals will the European champions score: Spain 4-0 Bulgaria.
Spain vs Bulgaria FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Spain vs Bulgaria in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Spain vs Bulgaria in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Fox Sports & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Spain vs Bulgaria in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Spain vs Bulgaria in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Spain vs Bulgaria in World Cup qualification?
Spain vs Bulgaria takes place on Tuesday 14 October 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (BST), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PDT).