Italy vs North Macedonia 24.03.2022

Italy, having missed out on automatic qualification for Qatar 2022, host North Macedonia in this newly designed European play-off. By a two-point margin, the European Champions finished 2nd in their group behind Switzerland, one of the 10 already-qualified teams. To avert missing the global showpiece twice in a row, Mancini’s men will be hoping for all three points here.

On the other hand, North Macedonia head into this tie in search of their first World Cup appearance. Although they are the underdogs here, their 2-1 win over Germany in the Group stage of the qualifiers earned them the status of giant killers. Against the Azzurris, they will be hoping to draw confidence from that remarkable win and the success they earned as League D winners at the maiden edition of the Nations League.

With just 10 places already filled, Italy and North Macedonia are in the hunt for one of the 3 remaining European slots. Based on this, we expect every bit of this play-off to be highly competitive. Therefore, we are backing Italy to win or draw with both teams scoring.

Main tip: DC 1X & BTTS (go to tip details)

Check out our UEFA World Cup Qualifier predictions for more ways to win.

Head-to-Head stats Italy vs North Macedonia

Both sides have met two times:

• Italy won 1, the other ended in a draw
• On average these matches scored 3.50 goals per game
• The last time they met, they drew 1-1

Latest results Italy

• 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in their last 5 matches
• 9 goals scored in their last 5 matches. Average of 1.80 goals per match
• In their last outing, they were held to a barren draw by Northern Ireland

Latest results North Macedonia

• 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their last 5 matches
• 12 goals scored in their last 5 matches. Average of 2.40 goals per match
• In the last international break, they beat Iceland 3-1

UEFA WC Qualifiers Final Standings and Latest Results

Italy (Group C): rank 2nd – 8 matches – 4 wins – 4 draws – 0 losses – 16 points
Form Guide (most recent first): D-D-W-L-W

North Macedonia (Group J): rank 2nd – 10 matches – 5 wins – 3 draws –2 losses – 18 points
Form Guide (most recent first): W-W-L-W-D

Possible squad Italy

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Bastoni, Emerson; Barella, Locatelli, Jorginho; Insigne, Bernardeschi, Chiesa

Out: None

Coach: Roberto Mancini

Possible squad North Macedonia

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski; Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu, Alioski; Spirovski, Bardhi, Elmas; Kostadinov, Ristovski, Churlinov

Out: None

Coach: Blagoja Milevski

Boost your returns with our analysis of the best football predictions tomorrow

Our tip(s) and odds in detail

According to the statistics above and the odds of the bookmakers, we suggest the following:

1) Bet on DC 1X & BTTS

Betway offers competitive odds for the bet “DC 1X & BTTS”
The odd of 2.55 means that the bookmakers are calculating with a likelihood of approx. 39% chance that Italy will win or draw with both sides scoring.

Odds comparison for DC 1X & BTTS

Betway – odd 2.55
Betwinner – odd 2.53
Cyberbet – odd 2.52

Find this and other interesting markets on Betway Kenya

2) Bet on Over 2.5 Goals

• One of their 2 meetings produced at least 3 goals
• This match will be quite thrilling

Odds for this bet

Melbet offers the competitive odds for “Over 2.5 Goals”

The odd of 1.73 means that the bookmakers are calculating with a likelihood of approx. 58% chance that this match will produce at least 3 goals.

Odds comparisons for Over 2.5 Goals

Melbet – odd 1.73
Yangasport – odd 1.68

We have other Over 2.5 Goals predictions at no cost