North Macedonia vs England predictions for Monday’s Euro 2024 qualifier. England travels to North Macedonia on Monday evening, aiming for a point in their final Euro 2024 qualification match to secure a spot in Pot 1 for the draw. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Monday, 20th November at 7:45 pm In:
North Macedonia vs England Predictions
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Tactical Tussle: England’s Quest for Pot 1 Against North Macedonia’s Resilience
Key Stats
– North Macedonia’s nine goals in their last 11 matches.
– England’s sole clean sheet in their last seven away games.
In an intriguing Euro 2024 qualifier, England travels to North Macedonia with the aim of cementing their spot in Pot 1 for the draw. Despite England’s dominant campaign and North Macedonia’s elimination from contention, the match holds significant strategic importance.
Our Suggested Best Value Bet For This Match
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Best Value Bet Rationale
Manev, with an average BettingTips4You Expert Rating of 6.80, has been a regular starter for North Macedonia, appearing in four matches with an average of 68 minutes per game. His defensive statistics reveal a player who is actively involved in the heart of the action – averaging 0.8 tackles and 4.3 clearances per game. These numbers are indicative of a player who is frequently engaged in physical duels and defensive interventions.
Given England’s high-octane attacking style, featuring players like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Jack Grealish, Manev is expected to be under considerable pressure. England’s ability to maintain possession and create chances (averaging 3 goals per game in the qualifiers) will likely force North Macedonia’s defenders into situations where they must make crucial tackles and interceptions. Manev, being at the centre of this defensive effort, is thus more susceptible to situations that could lead to a booking.
Moreover, North Macedonia’s recent defensive record, conceding 19 goals in seven matches, illustrates a backline under siege, often resorting to tactical fouling to stem the flow of opposition attacks. Manev’s role as a central defender places him directly in the path of England’s formidable attacking line, increasing the likelihood of him committing a foul that could result in a yellow card.
Therefore, the boosted odds of 6/4 for Manev to be booked present a strategic betting opportunity, reflecting both the player’s defensive role and the anticipated match dynamics where England’s attacking prowess will test North Macedonia’s resolve.
Strategic Analysis
England, under Gareth Southgate, have displayed a blend of tactical flexibility and attacking prowess. Their formidable goal-scoring record in the qualifiers speaks volumes about their offensive capabilities. However, their defensive vulnerability, particularly in away games, remains a concern.
North Macedonia, led by Blagoja Milevski, has shown resilience and an ability to trouble defenses, especially at home. Their attacking output, albeit inconsistent, has been promising, as evidenced by their scoring record in recent games.
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Key Duels and Gameplay Prediction The battle in midfield, particularly between England’s Declan Rice and North Macedonia’s Enis Bardhi, could be decisive. England’s attacking trident, likely involving Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, and Jack Grealish, will test North Macedonia’s defensive resolve. Kane’s form makes him a crucial player for England, while North Macedonia will rely on the creativity of Eljif Elmas and the tenacity of Ezgjan Alioski.
The gameplay is expected to be open, with England dominating possession and North Macedonia looking to exploit any defensive lapses. England’s quest for a more convincing performance might see them adopt an attacking approach, while North Macedonia could utilise counter-attacks.
Managerial Critique Southgate’s pragmatic approach has been effective but often critiqued for lacking flair. Milevski’s tenure with North Macedonia has been commendable, bringing them to notable heights, but questions over defensive strategies remain.
Tactical Analysis: Deep Dive
Offensive and Defensive Strategies
England: Under Gareth Southgate, England has developed a pragmatic approach, balancing offensive flair with defensive solidity. They often employ a flexible 4-3-3 formation, allowing fluidity in attack. Key players like Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are pivotal in this setup, with Kane dropping deep to link play and Saka’s pace and dribbling skills causing havoc on the flanks. Defensively, they’ve shown vulnerability in away games, conceding in five of their last six matches on the road. This could be attributed to a lack of cohesion in the defensive line, with players like Harry Maguire often scrutinised for their inconsistency.
North Macedonia: Blagoja Milevski’s side, despite their recent heavy defeats, has shown an ability to be resilient, especially at home. Their offensive strategy often revolves around counter-attacks, utilising the pace of players like Eljif Elmas and Enis Bardhi. Defensively, they’ve struggled, conceding 19 goals in seven matches, highlighting a need for more robust defensive organisation.
Individual Performances
England:
- Harry Kane has been in phenomenal form, providing both goals and assists.
- Bukayo Saka has emerged as a key attacking threat with his versatility and skill.
- Defensive issues have plagued Harry Maguire, whose performances have been inconsistent.
North Macedonia:
- Eljif Elmas has been a standout performer, contributing significantly in midfield.
- Enis Bardhi offers creativity and goal threat, particularly from set-pieces.
- Goalkeeper Damjan Shishkovski has had mixed performances, reflecting the team’s defensive struggles.
Managerial Impact
Gareth Southgate’s tenure with England has been marked by a structured approach, emphasising teamwork and discipline. However, his conservative tactics have often been criticised, especially in crucial matches where more attacking ambition might have yielded better results.
Blagoja Milevski faces a challenging task with North Macedonia. His focus has been on building a team that can compete against stronger European sides, but the recent heavy defeats question his tactical adaptability and defensive setup.
Expected Goals Analysis
England’s expected goals (xG) rate is high, thanks to their attacking talents and the volume of chances they create. In contrast, North Macedonia’s lower xG reflects their struggles in front of goal and reliance on fewer, often counter-attacking opportunities.
Comparison: Tactics, Player Performances, Overall Success
Tactically, England is more versatile and fluid in their approach compared to North Macedonia’s more straightforward and defensively vulnerable style. In terms of player performances, England’s squad depth and individual quality outshine North Macedonia’s, who rely heavily on a few key players. Overall, England’s success in the qualifiers and recent tournaments overshadows North Macedonia’s sporadic achievements.
Suggestions for Improvement
England should focus on improving their defensive coordination and perhaps adopt a more adventurous approach in attack, especially against teams that sit deep. North Macedonia needs to work on their defensive structure and find ways to be more effective in the attacking third, possibly by nurturing young talents for more depth.
Pros and Cons of Strategies
England’s balanced approach is both a strength and a weakness – it brings stability but can lead to predictability against well-organised defenses. North Macedonia’s counter-attacking style can surprise bigger teams but leaves them exposed against technically superior opponents.
Managerial Strengths and Weaknesses
Gareth Southgate is a unifying figure and a tactician, but his conservative approach has been a point of contention. Blagoja Milevski is commended for leading North Macedonia to unprecedented heights but needs to develop tactical flexibility.
Predictions
1. Market Prediction: England Win and Both Teams to Score
Given England’s attacking prowess and North Macedonia’s resilience at home, it’s plausible to expect goals from both sides. England, despite their robust campaign, have shown occasional lapses in defence, especially in away fixtures. North Macedonia, although inconsistent, have demonstrated the ability to breach defences. This scenario suggests a game where England’s quality ultimately prevails, but not without conceding a goal.
2. Correct Score: England 3-1 North Macedonia
England’s offensive machinery, led by the in-form Harry Kane and supported by dynamic players like Saka and Grealish, positions them as a formidable scoring force. However, their recent trend of conceding goals, particularly in away games, opens the possibility of North Macedonia finding the net. A 3-1 victory for England balances their attacking strength with the defensive vulnerabilities they’ve exhibited.
3. Goalscorer: Harry Kane to Score Anytime
Kane’s recent scoring form for England has been nothing short of sensational. His ability to find space in the box, combined with his clinical finishing, makes him a prime candidate to score in any match. Given North Macedonia’s defensive record, it’s highly likely Kane will add to his impressive goal tally.
4. Corner Prediction: England to have more corners
England’s style of play, which often involves width and crosses into the box, naturally leads to a higher number of corners. Their propensity to attack and keep the pressure in the opposition’s half should result in more corner opportunities compared to North Macedonia.
5. Total Corners: Over 8.5 corners in the match
Given both teams’ playing styles, with England’s attacking approach and North Macedonia’s potential to counter, the game is likely to witness several corner situations. Predicting over 8.5 corners for the entire match seems a reasonable expectation, considering the dynamics at play.
6. Shot on Target: Bukayo Saka to have 1 or more shots on target
Saka’s direct and incisive playing style, combined with his propensity to cut in and shoot, makes him a likely candidate to register at least one shot on target. His recent form and confidence further bolster the likelihood of this outcome.
7. Yellow Card: Declan Rice
Rice plays a pivotal role in midfield, often engaging in tackles and interceptions to disrupt the opposition’s play. This role inherently carries the risk of accumulating fouls and, consequently, receiving a yellow card, making him a probable candidate for a booking in the match.
8. Assist Prediction: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold’s exceptional ability to deliver precise crosses and his involvement in set-piece situations make him a strong contender for registering an assist. His vision and execution from wide areas are key elements of England’s attacking strategy, increasing the likelihood of him contributing an assist.
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