Italy vs North Macedonia Predictions and Betting Tips
Italy and North Macedonia square off in the World Cup qualifiers playoffs semifinals with both sides keen on booking themselves a spot in the path C final this. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
Although the Italians still missed out on the 2018 World Cup, they siphoned four points off North Macedonia in what was a disappointing qualifiers run.
The Azzurri keen on getting back to winning ways
Italy have never failed to qualify for two consecutive world cup finals and following their disastrous capitulation in Group C of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers where they could only manage to be second best to Switzerland, this could very well come to past. Roberto Mancini has done a great job in reawakening his country's competitive spirit, leading them to championship glory in last summer's Euros, however, they haven't been on the same side since then with just two wins in their last seven games in all competitions. The Azzurri did have numerous chances to pip Switzerland in the hunt for Group C's summit but failed to convert on numerous occasions. Now they have to be as clinical as ever if they're to secure a spot in Qatar.
North Macedonia's uprising has been quite sensational as we saw them secure a spot in the 2020 European Championship- their first-ever major tournament- and although they had to bow out in the group stages, Bobi Milevski and his troops would surely be proud of their achievement. A spot in the World Cup qualifiers playoffs is also a huge achievement and, as expected, this would be the first time they would go this far in a World Cup qualifiers campaign. A 3-1 victory in their final group game against Iceland was enough to condemn Romania to 3rd place as the North Macedonians celebrated a playoff spot with their third win in four games. A rich bank of form we must add, however, the Italian steam train would be tough to stop and it is then left to see whether this fairytale run would stretch into the path C playoff final.
Italy vs North Macedonia Team News
Italy possible starting XI:
Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bastoni, Mancini, Emerson; Jorginho, Barella, Verratti; Berardi, Immobile, Insigne
North Macedonia possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; S. Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu, Alioski; Nikolov, Ademi, Bardhi; Churlinov, M. Ristovski, Trajkovski
Italy vs North Macedonia Prediction: 3-1
It doesn't get any easier from here on out with the winner set to play either Portugal or Turkey next Tuesday. Nonetheless, the Italians haven't lost a single World Cup Qualifiers game on home soil and we don't see this record getting shattered by their opponents.
