Czech Republic vs North Macedonia predictions, betting tips and match previews for their international friendly meeting. Czech Republic face North Macedonia in a pre-European Championship friendly in Hradec Kralove on Monday night. Read on for our free predictions and betting tips.
Friendly | Jun 10, 2024 at 5pm UK at Epet Arena
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Czech Republic vs North Macedonia Predictions
Czech Republic Set to Dominate in Final Euro 2024 Warm-Up Against North Macedonia
Key Stats
– Georgia have The Czech Republic have scored 15 goals in their last five matches, averaging three goals per game.
– North Macedonia have lost their last four away fixtures, highlighting their struggles on the road.
– Patrik Schick is expected to make a significant impact, with a high likelihood of scoring in this friendly.
The Czech Republic will cap off their preparations for Euro 2024 with a friendly against North Macedonia in Hradec Kralove. This encounter provides a final chance for the hosts to fine-tune their strategies before they face Portugal in their opening match of the tournament. North Macedonia, although not participating in Euro 2024, will use this match to build momentum ahead of their UEFA Nations League campaign.
Match Preview
The Czech Republic have been in formidable form, securing a convincing 7-1 victory over Malta in their most recent outing. This win marked their fourth consecutive triumph, demonstrating their readiness for the upcoming European Championship. Managed by Ivan Hasek, the Czechs have their sights set on advancing beyond the group stage, which includes Portugal, Turkey, and Georgia. Their current unbeaten streak of six matches, coupled with only one defeat since late 2022, positions them as a strong contender in Group F.
On the other hand, North Macedonia arrive on the back of a 3-0 loss to Croatia. Their performance in the European Championship qualifiers was underwhelming, finishing fourth in their group with only eight points from eight matches. Their next competitive challenge will be in the UEFA Nations League, where they will face Faroe Islands, Armenia, and Latvia. Although they participated in Euro 2020, their group stage exit without a single win highlights their struggle at the international level.
Team News and Lineups
Czech Republic
Ivan Hasek is expected to make several changes to the team that triumphed over Malta. Key players such as Tomas Soucek, Patrik Schick, and Adam Hlozek are anticipated to return to the starting XI. Vladimir Coufal is likely to maintain his position as the right wing-back, with Antonin Barak playing a crucial role in midfield.
Expected Lineup:
Kovar; Vitik, Hranac, Zima; Coufal, Barak, Soucek, Sulc, Jurasek; Hlozek, Schick
North Macedonia
For North Macedonia, Aleksandar Trajkovski, the top scorer in the squad, will spearhead the attack. Elif Elmas and Ezgjan Alioski are also set to start, adding experience and skill to the lineup. Davor Zdravkovski, the only uncapped player, might get an opportunity to impress.
Expected Lineup:
Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Velkovski, Musliu; Ashkovski, Alimi, Atanasov, Alioski; Elmas; Miovski, Trajkovski
Tactical Analysis
The Czech Republic’s recent performances have been characterised by a high-scoring offence and a robust defence. They averaged 1.5 goals per game during the European Championship qualifiers, with notable contributions from inside the box. Their ability to create and convert big chances, coupled with a solid defensive record of 0.8 goals conceded per game, underscores their balanced approach.
North Macedonia, however, have struggled both defensively and offensively. Conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game in the qualifiers, their backline has been porous. Their attack, while managing 1.3 goals per game, lacks the efficiency seen in stronger teams. Their reliance on counter-attacks and set pieces could be their main strategies against the Czechs.
Key Areas and Player Duels
The midfield battle between Tomas Soucek and Elif Elmas could be pivotal. Soucek’s physical presence and aerial ability will be crucial in both defence and attack, while Elmas’ creativity and vision can unlock defences. Additionally, the duel between Patrik Schick and North Macedonia’s centre-backs will be a critical aspect, with Schick’s movement and finishing posing a constant threat.
Gameplay and Strategic Dynamics
The Czech Republic are expected to dominate possession and utilise their width through wing-backs Coufal and Jurasek. Their strategy will likely focus on quick transitions and exploiting spaces behind North Macedonia’s defence. On the other hand, North Macedonia might adopt a more defensive stance, aiming to counter-attack through the pace of Trajkovski and the creativity of Elmas.
Suggestions for Improvement
For the Czech Republic, maintaining defensive discipline will be crucial, especially against counter-attacks. Enhancing their efficiency in front of goal, despite their high scoring rate, will be beneficial in tighter matches during the European Championship.
North Macedonia need to improve their defensive organisation and minimise errors. Strengthening their midfield to better support both defence and attack can help in achieving more balanced performances.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The Czech Republic’s strengths lie in their balanced team, capable of both scoring and defending effectively. Their key weakness might be complacency, given their recent success. North Macedonia’s primary strength is their counter-attacking potential, but their defensive frailties and lack of consistent goal-scoring pose significant challenges.
Managerial Critique
Ivan Hasek has successfully instilled a winning mentality in the Czech team, evident in their recent performances. His tactical acumen and ability to rotate the squad effectively are commendable. In contrast, Blagoja Milevski’s management has seen mixed results, with North Macedonia’s defensive issues remaining unresolved. His inability to adapt tactically against stronger teams has been a notable shortcoming.
Expected Goals Analysis
The Czech Republic’s expected goals (xG) average aligns with their high scoring rate, reflecting their ability to create quality chances. North Macedonia’s lower xG highlights their struggle to generate and convert opportunities, correlating with their lower goal-scoring average.
Predictions
Best Bet: Czech Republic -2 to Win
Given their superior form and attacking prowess, the Czech Republic are expected to secure a comfortable victory. Their impressive home record and the visitors’ poor away form further support this prediction.
Correct Score Prediction: Czech Republic 3-0 North Macedonia
Aligning with the best bet, a 3-0 scoreline reflects the Czech Republic’s recent high-scoring matches and North Macedonia’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Goalscorer Prediction: Patrik Schick to Score
Schick, returning to the starting XI, is likely to find the back of the net. His recent form and ability to capitalise on chances make him a prime candidate to score.
Corner Prediction: Czech Republic to Win the Corner Count
With an average of 5.1 corners per game compared to North Macedonia’s 3.1, the Czech Republic are expected to dominate in this aspect.
Innovative Market Prediction: Over 2.5 Total Cards
Considering North Macedonia’s average of 2.4 yellow cards per game, this match could see multiple bookings, especially given the competitive nature of the fixture.
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