Prediction: North Macedonia vs England

Verdict: England to score in both halves

Best Odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Simply looking to sign off their EURO 24 qualifying adventure with a final statement, England will make the trip to North Macedonia on Monday night.

North Macedonia

Starting with the hosts, while North Macedonia might have signed off October’s international break with an eye-catching 3-1 victory at home against Armenia, the Lynxes have continued to struggle with their qualifying stability this year. Marking their return to Group C duties over the weekend with an action-packed 5-2 loss at the hands of reigning European champions Italy, Blagoja Milevski’s squad have won just a pair of their previous seven appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to March 27th. Knowing that they face a monumental challenge when they return to the National Arena on Monday night, North Macedonia should also be concerned by a woeful record against England. Hit with a nightmare 7-0 drumming when they made the trip to Old Trafford for their reverse Group C meeting on June 19th, Milevski’s side have failed to win any of their five historic showdowns against the Three Lions.

Team News

Coming off the bench away against Italy over the weekend and notching a second-half brace former Hajduk Split striker Javi Antanasov should be handed a full recall on Monday night. The 24-year-old could come in and replace Dinamo Zagreb’s Arijan Ademi in the final third.

Despite struggling to get any first-team minutes with Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahil this season, one-time Leeds star Ezgjan Alioski will earn a 68th international cap at the National Arena. Napoli ace Eljif Elmas should have another key role to play here.

England

As for the visitors, marking their return to EURO 24 qualifying duties over the weekend with an uneventful 2-0 victory at home against Malta, England have cruised their way to next year’s European Championships. Not really having to get out of third gear, it is no secret that Gareth Southgate’s superstar squad are tipped as a leading contender next year. Mustering 19 points from their seven Group C appearances, the European heavyweights will simply be looking to make a final statement here. Likewise, despite suffering World Cup frustration out in Qatar last winter, England haven’t shown any signs of a hangover. Unbeaten in each of their nine outings since opening 2023, Monday’s guests will be smelling another real opportunity on foreign soil. Storming their way to a stunning 7-0 romp when they welcomed North Macedonia to Old Trafford for their reverse showdown back on June 19th, Southgate will be calling on a repeat performance here.

Team News

Both withdrawing from Southgate’s squad last week, England will be without Chelsea defender Levi Coliwll and Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham on Monday night. Likewise, not expected to feature again until the New Year, England will also be without the services of Tottenham playmaker James Maddison.

Impressing off the bench against Malta over the weekend, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer could earn a first senior international start here. Continuing on a record-breaking romp with German giants Bayern Munich, Harry Kane should once again spearhead Southgate’s charge at the National Arena.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Group C showdown back on June 19th, England picked up a 7-0 romp at Old Trafford.
• Likewise, the Three Lions are unbeaten in each of their five historic meetings against North Macedonia.
• Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has bagged eight goals in his seven qualifying appearances this year.
• North Macedonia have recorded just two wins from any of their previous seven appearances across all formats.
• Monday’s hosts have recorded just a single clean sheet at the National Arena since June 2022.

Conclusion

Marking their return with a routine 2-0 victory at home against Malta over the weekend, England will simply be looking to sign off their EURO 24 qualifying romp with a final statement here. Unbeaten in each of their seven Group C appearances this year and tipped as a genuine contender when they arrive in Germany next summer, Southgate’s side will be smelling another golden opportunity on Monday night. Cruising their way to a stunning 7-0 romp when they welcomed North Macedonia to Old Trafford for their reverse showdown on June 19th, it is hard to see anything other than a similar outcome at the National Arena.

Verdict: England to score in both halves

Best Odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: Olympusbet