Prediction: Georgia vs North Macedonia

Prediction: North Macedonia to win 2-1

Best Odds: 11/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Georgia and North Macedonia will face each other in the European Championship playoff final this week. The match is slated to kick off at 5pm UK time at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi on Thursday.

Georgia

Georgia are looking to qualify for the European Championship finals for the first time in their history. Vladimir Weiss’s side got the better of Belarus 1-0 at home in their playoff semi-final last month to reach the playoff final. The Crusaders are on a five-match unbeaten run and will head into the match against North Macedonia high on confidence.

Team News

Georgia are without any recognised left-backs for the playoff final, meaning that Lasha Dvali may have to be deployed in that position despite being a central defender by trade. Giorgi Chakvetadze has also had to withdraw due to injury.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia are also looking to make it to their first major international competition in history and will know that they are just one game away from making it to the European Championship finals next summer. Igor Angelovski’s side won 2-1 against Kosovo in the playoff semi-final. North Macedonia have not lost in their last six matches and drew twice with Georgia last month.

Team news

Elif Elmas, Ezgjan Alioski and Goran Pandev are likely to start the match for North Macedonia, but Daniel Bozinovski will not play after testing positive for coronavirus. Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi and Ujpest defender Kire Ristevski are doubtful for the playoff final.

Key Factors to Consider

• North Macedonia have not kept a clean sheet in five matches.
  Georgia have kept two clean sheets in their past five games.
  Goran Pandev has scored 35 goals in 113 matches for North Macedonia.
  Neither Denmark nor the Republic of Ireland could score against Georgia in Tbilisi during qualifying.
  Georgia and North Macedonia have not played in a major finals.

Conclusion

While Georgia will be hard to beat, North Macedonia do have a stronger team on paper and could eke out a result inside 90 minutes.

Prediction: North Macedonia to win 2-1

Best Odds: 11/1

Bookmaker: Betfair