Italy vs North Macedonia Prediction & Betting Tips - World Cup

Prediction published on 21/03/2022, 15:58  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 21/03/2022 at 16:59 in World Cup Predictions

Italy have a profile to protect as they play host to North Macedonia in the World Cup playoff semifinal. The two sides will be hoping to book the ticket to face either Portugal or Turkey, who face off in the other semi. Italy, the European champions, wilful definitely be the one under more pressure here. They missed the last World Cup and will not want a repeat. Going into this game they have lost their defensive solidity, managing two clean sheets only in the last five matches. Both sides have score in three of the five matches and three of those five matches have produced over 2.5 goals. At home, while Italy have just one loss in five, they will have to defend better, as both teams have scored in four of their last five matches at their backyard. The 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland in their last game marked their ninth unbeaten game in World Cup qualification, where they have four wins.

North Macedonia finished second in their group behind Germany. For long they will be remembered for the shock win over Germany, in Germany. They have done well ahead of this game but only one of the opponents they have faced ahead of this game matches Italy’s strength - Germany, an opponent that handed them a 4-0 loss. North Macedonia are coming from a fine scoring run, having netted three or more in three of the last four matches, which means three of their last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals. The visitors have failed to score in two of their last five matches and they have two straight away wins. Each of their last three away matches have produced over 2.5 goals.