Prediction: Italy vs North Macedonia

Prediction: Italy to win 3-0

Best Odds: 5/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Italy and North Macedonia will face each other in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA). The match will be held at Palermo’s Stadio Barbera and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Thursday.

Italy

Italy will head into the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff tie against North Macedonia with confidence. Roberto Mancini’s side are the favourites and also have the better team. Italy finished second in Group C behind winners Switzerland and advanced to playoffs.

Team News:

Marco Verratti will start.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia will head into the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff tie against Italy as the underdogs and will know that winning against the Azzurri will not be easy. They finished second in Group J behind winners Germany with 18 points from 10 matches.

Team News:

Eljif Elmas and Tihomir Kostadinov are suspended. Aleksandar Trajkovski will start.

Key Factors to Consider

• North Macedonia have never played in the World Cup finals.
• North Macedonia have won 2 of their last 6 World Cup qualifiers.
• Italy have draw their last 2 competitive matches.
• Italy have drawn 4 of their last 6 World Cup qualifiers.
• Italy have lost just 1 of their last 6 competitive games.

Conclusion

North Macedonia do have spirit and will be determined to cause an upset, but it is hard to see Italy not win this game by a good margin.

Prediction: Italy to win 3-0

Best Odds: 5/1

Bookmaker: Betfair