North Macedonia vs Slovenia Predictions

North Macedonia vs Slovenia Preview: Visitors Target Nations League Playoff Place. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

North Macedonia host Slovenia at the Tose Proeski Arena on Monday, November 16, in their final UEFA Nations League B Group 1 fixture, with the two nations facing contrasting situations.

Three Punchy Stats

• 13 matches: North Macedonia's current winless international sequence.
• 12 goals: The number North Macedonia have conceded across five Nations League fixtures.
• Three clean sheets: Slovenia's defensive record from their opening five group matches.

While the hosts have already been relegated to League C following five consecutive defeats, Slovenia remain firmly in contention for second place and a promotion playoff opportunity.

Bostjan Cesar's side arrive with considerably more momentum, although their inconsistent away performances offer North Macedonia some encouragement ahead of the encounter.

North Macedonia Searching for a Response

North Macedonia's Nations League campaign has been disastrous, with Goce Sedloski's men losing all five group matches while conceding 12 goals, twice as many as any other side in the section.

Their difficulties extend beyond this competition. The hosts have gone 13 consecutive internationals without victory, with their last success coming against Liechtenstein in September 2025, when they recorded an emphatic 5-0 win.

An equally concerning issue has been their lack of attacking productivity.

North Macedonia endured eight successive matches without scoring before Elmin Rastoder finally ended that sequence against Scotland on Friday.

His 57th-minute effort offered brief encouragement, but the eventual 2-1 defeat highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities that have undermined their campaign.

The hosts have scored just once across their previous nine internationals, leaving Sedloski with a significant challenge to establish a more effective attacking structure.

With relegation already confirmed, Monday's encounter represents an opportunity to restore some confidence rather than change their Nations League fate.

However, their earlier 2-0 defeat against Slovenia suggests they will need a substantially improved performance to finish positively.

Slovenia Have Everything to Play For

Slovenia enter the final group fixture occupying second place with eight points, one ahead of Scotland.

Their objective is straightforward: matching or improving Scotland's result against Switzerland would secure the runners-up position and a chance to pursue promotion to League A through the playoffs.

Cesar's team have demonstrated greater consistency than their opponents, collecting two victories and two draws from their five Nations League matches.

Their most recent outing produced a goalless draw against group leaders Switzerland, extending an encouraging sequence following their impressive 2-1 away victory over Scotland.

Slovenia also possess the psychological advantage of having beaten North Macedonia earlier in the competition.

Sandi Lovric and Aljosa Matko scored in that 2-0 success, demonstrating the visitors' ability to control this fixture without requiring an especially prolific attacking display.

Nevertheless, their away record provides a potential concern.

All three goals Slovenia have conceded in the group have come on their travels, including their only defeat, a 2-1 loss against Switzerland.

Maintaining defensive concentration will therefore be essential, particularly with Scotland waiting to capitalise on any dropped points.

Team News and Tactical Outlook

North Macedonia are expected to retain Rastoder as their central striker following his breakthrough goal against Scotland.

Captain Enis Bardhi should provide attacking support, while Eljif Elmas and Matej Gastarov are expected to operate deeper in midfield.

The hosts must find a better balance between supporting their forward players and protecting a defence that has struggled throughout the campaign.

Slovenia could maintain the defensive foundation that secured their clean sheet against Switzerland.

Vanja Drkusic, Jaka Bijol and Zan Zaletel are expected to feature in the backline, with Matko, Danijel Sturm and Zan Vipotnik providing attacking options.

Cesar's approach is likely to prioritise defensive organisation and controlled possession rather than unnecessary attacking risks.

That strategy appears particularly suitable against opponents whose limited scoring threat has repeatedly prevented them from recovering after conceding.

Prediction: North Macedonia 0-2 Slovenia

Slovenia's superior form, defensive organisation and greater motivation make them strong favourites to secure victory.

North Macedonia's recent goal against Scotland offers encouragement, but their prolonged winless sequence and persistent defensive problems remain difficult to overlook.

A repeat of September's 2-0 Slovenia victory looks plausible, potentially securing the visitors' playoff position depending on Scotland's result.

📊 Market Explainer

Main Tip

Handicap Market

Selection: FYR Macedonia Asian Handicap +1. A virtual goal advantage or deficit is applied before settlement. The bet is decided by the adjusted score after normal time.

Correct Score Tip

Correct Score Market

Selection: FYR Macedonia vs Slovenia 1-1. Predict the exact score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.

🎯 Pick 1: FYR Macedonia Asian Handicap +1 @ N/A

North Macedonia enter this final Nations League fixture attempting to salvage pride after five consecutive Group 1 defeats. Despite their dire run of 13 internationals without a victory, backing the hosts on the +1 Asian Handicap finds justification in Slovenia’s away record and tactical priorities. The visitors have conceded all three of their group goals on their travels, including a 2-1 defeat against Switzerland, indicating reduced defensive solidity away from home.

The tactical dynamic between the two sides also supports a tighter margin than the group standings suggest. Slovenia need only to match Scotland’s result to secure a playoff position, and manager Bostjan Cesar is expected to prioritise defensive organisation over unnecessary attacking risks. Against an opponent likely content to control the tempo without chasing a heavy victory, North Macedonia’s task of keeping any deficit to a single goal becomes distinctly more manageable. Furthermore, Elmin Rastoder’s recent strike against Scotland proved the hosts can still find the net when opportunities arise.

The clear counterpoint remains North Macedonia’s defensive vulnerability, having leaked 12 goals across five group fixtures. Their previous meeting ended in a 2-0 Slovenia success, a scoreline that would cause this exact handicap selection to lose. However, with the visitors focused on a controlled, secure progression rather than goal difference, the evidence points towards a narrow contest. The +1 handicap provides a safety net against a one-goal away victory, making it a credible approach for this encounter.

🎯 Tactical Indicators

• All three goals Slovenia have conceded in this Nations League group have come during their away fixtures.
• Slovenia manager Bostjan Cesar is expected to prioritise defensive organisation and controlled possession to secure the necessary point.
• Elmin Rastoder recently ended North Macedonia's eight-match scoreless sequence with a 57th-minute goal against Scotland.

Risk Factor: North Macedonia have suffered five consecutive group defeats; another two-goal loss would cause this Asian Handicap selection to fail.

⚔️ Pick 2: FYR Macedonia vs Slovenia 1-1 @ 6/1

A 1-1 draw requires North Macedonia to replicate their recent scoring breakthrough while restricting a cautious Slovenian side to a single goal. The evidence for the home side finding the net rests on their recent performance against Scotland, where Elmin Rastoder finally ended an eight-match scoreless sequence. Slovenia’s defensive record provides additional encouragement for a home goal; although they boast three clean sheets in the group, all three goals they have conceded have come during away fixtures, highlighting a specific vulnerability on their travels.

For the Slovenian side of the scoreline, the visitors certainly possess the ability to breach a struggling defence, having already scored twice against North Macedonia in their previous meeting. However, a solitary away goal aligns with their expected approach to this final fixture. Requiring only a matched result with Scotland to secure second place, the Slovenian strategy is expected to prioritise defensive organisation rather than aggressive attacking intent. Their recent goalless draw against Switzerland demonstrated a clear willingness to accept low-scoring outcomes when the group table demands it.

The primary risk factor against this correct score is North Macedonia’s porous backline, which has allowed 12 goals in five matches at an average of 2.4 per game. If the hosts lose concentration early, Slovenia could comfortably surpass a single goal. Nevertheless, with the visitors lacking the necessity to chase a heavy victory and the home side eager to avoid another punishing defeat, a low-scoring draw represents a plausible outcome that respects Slovenia’s away concessions and North Macedonia’s desperate need for stability.