Republic of Ireland aim to maintain their promising start to WC qualifying when they host Bulgaria.
Watch the match live on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday from 7.30pm
Republic of Ireland will be aiming to maintain their promising start to World Cup qualifying Group 8 when they host Bulgaria on Saturday, live on
Sky Sports 1.
Giovanni Trapattoni's side have recorded three wins and one draw from their opening four games, and are currently level on points with leaders Italy.
All of Bulgaria's three games in the group, meanwhile, have ended in draws and coach Stanimir Stoilov will be all too aware they must soon record three points if they are to stand any chance of reaching South Africa in 2010.
The Republic will be seeking a positive result against the Bulgarians at Croke Park before they travel to Bari to face world champions Italy next Wednesday.
Berbatov absence
Italian coach Trapattoni is sweating on the fitness of Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, who is recovering from a badly bruised right foot.
The Republic are already missing Newcastle midfielder Damien Duff through hamstring trouble but have called up Reading's Stephen Hunt as his replacement.
Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given has trained without any problems after recovering from the shoulder injury which delayed his arrival in Dublin.
Trapattoni has been boosted with the news that Manchester United star Dimitar Berbatov will miss out for Bulgaria with an ankle injury.
Furthermore, Manchester City attacker Valeri Bojinov has left the Bulgaria training camp in order to have an assessment on a damaged hamstring.
