Best odds: 21/10
Bookmaker:
Italy, the reigning European champions, find themselves in an unusual position in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C as they aim to secure a spot in the next continental tournament. With just three points from two games, they are currently behind England (12 from four) and Ukraine (six from three) in the standings due to having played fewer matches than other teams in the group. North Macedonia are directly below with the same tally, having played one game more.
In their most recent international fixtures, Italy faced disappointment in the Nations League. Now, they must focus on their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying match against North Macedonia. The match will take place in Skopje, and Italy will be eager to secure a victory and improve their position in the group.
North Macedonia
North Macedonia had a promising start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a victory over Malta, but they faced a setback in their next match against Ukraine. Despite initially taking a two-goal lead, they ultimately lost 3-2. Their subsequent match against England was a particularly difficult ordeal as they suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat.
Currently, North Macedonia sit in a challenging position in Group C, with only Malta without any points below them. They have conceded 11 goals, which is one of the highest totals in the campaign. However, the team has shown the ability to score goals in their home matches, with a four-game winning streak in their home qualifiers before the loss to Ukraine.
Despite the recent setbacks, North Macedonia have demonstrated resilience in their Euro qualifiers, and they will aim to bounce back in their upcoming match against Italy. Blagoja Milevski s team will be eager to improve their standing in the group and make progress in their pursuit of a spot at Euro 2024.
Team News
North Macedonia s Visar Musliu is back in contention for selection after serving a suspension, and his presence in the defense could provide added stability to the team. Stefan Ristovski, who had suffered an injury in a clash of heads with Harry Kane during their match against England, has since recovered. However, he is not currently part of the national team setup, as he publicly disclosed issues between him and head coach Milevski.
In terms of injuries, Darko Churlinov is sidelined, along with Valon Ethemi and Marjan Radeski. Despite not being attached to a club at the moment, Aleksandar Trajkovski remains a crucial player for North Macedonia, having scored 20 goals for the national team. His contribution will be vital in their hopes of Euro 2024 qualification.
Italy
Italy have undergone a managerial change, with Luciano Spalletti taking over from Roberto Mancini. Spalletti, fresh off leading Napoli to the Serie A title in the 2022/23 season, is tasked with rejuvenating the Azzurri after a period of relative decline.
The Euro 2024 qualifying campaign started with a 2-1 defeat to England in Naples, followed by a 2-0 victory against Malta on matchday two. However, Italy s focus shifted to the Nations League, where they reached the semi-finals but were eliminated by eventual champions Spain. They did secure a bronze medal with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Netherlands.
Spalletti s tenure begins with a relatively favorable fixture against North Macedonia, and the Azzurri have extra motivation for success, havinf failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. They were knocked out by North Macedonia in a play-off semi-final, suffering a 1-0 defeat. Italy will be eager to exact revenge and improve their standing in the group, with the possibility of a play-off opportunity based on their Nations League ranking if they fail to secure a top-two finish.
Team News
Italy s squad for the upcoming fixtures features some notable omissions, including Euro 2020 heroes like Leonardo Bonucci, Jorginho, and Marco Verratti. Additionally, attacking talents Domenico Berardi and Gianluca Scamacca are absent from the squad.
Spalletti is expected to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, which was successful under previous manager Roberto Mancini. Lazio star Ciro Immobile will lead the attack as the captain, hoping to revitalize his international career after dealing with multiple injuries.
The squad includes two uncapped goalkeepers, Ivan Provedel from Lazio and Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur. However, Paris Saint-Germain s Gianluigi Donnarumma remains the first choice between the posts and is set to earn his 55th cap at the age of 24.
Conclusion
A victorious beginning to Luciano Spalletti s tenure as Italy s manager appears to be on the horizon this weekend.
North Macedonia, still recovering from their 7-0 loss to England, and dealing with the ongoing dispute between their manager and the absent captain Ristovski, is not a team they should find too hard to beat at the moment.
While the reigning European champions may not run up the score in Skopje as they adjust to Spalletti s style, they possess the defensive strength to keep their hosts at bay, particularly with Macedonian striker Trajkovski significantly out of match practice.
Verdict: Away win and total goals under 2.5
Best odds: 21/10
Bookmaker:
