* Betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
North Macedonia vs Bulgaria: Our top betting tips
Neither of these sides can top their group and nor can they finish battle. What can – and will – be decided by this game is who take second spot. Who will come out on top? Find out with our North Macedonia vs Bulgaria match preview with free tips, predictions and odds mentioned along the way.
Contents
Even stevens
We kick off our North Macedonia vs Bulgaria predictions by backing things to end level. North Macedonia are the bookies favourites but their form is patchy at best with two wins, two defeats and a draw across their last five games. Bulgaria have been slightly more consistent with their results with three draws across their last five and then a win and a defeat completing their five game form guide. With Bulgaria proving to be draw specialists and North Macedonia an up and down side right now we think this screams out as the sides cancelling one another out. They duo played out a draw back in June too to further support our prediction.
Going under 2.5 goals
With our second tip we turn our attention to the total goals market and we are backing this match to come in under 2.5 goals. North Macedonia have seen three of their last five matches fall under that threshold with Bulgaria boasting similar form; again, three of their last five have come in under 2.5 goals. The head to head record provides another real insight into this tip with each of the last five clashes between these nations all coming in south of the all important 2.5 goal cut off. With all that considered, surely a low scoring game awaits!
Here are the key stats & form guide for North Macedonia vs Bulgaria
Head to Head
02/06/22
UEFA Nations League NAL
Bulgaria
North Macedonia
1
1
29/03/16
International Match International
North Macedonia
Bulgaria
0
2
Last Five - North Macedonia
12/09/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
Malta
North Macedonia
0
2
W
09/09/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
Italy
North Macedonia
1
1
D
19/06/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
England
North Macedonia
7
0
L
16/06/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
Ukraine
North Macedonia
3
2
L
27/03/23
International Match International
Faroe Islands
North Macedonia
0
1
W
Last Five - Bulgaria
10/09/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
Montenegro
Bulgaria
2
1
L
07/09/23
International Match International
Iran
Bulgaria
1
0
L
20/06/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
Serbia
Bulgaria
1
1
D
17/06/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
Lithuania
Bulgaria
1
1
D
27/03/23
Euro 2024 Qualifying Euro
Hungary
Bulgaria
3
0
L
Second vs Third do battle for pride
The Nations League is often criticised for serving up ‘friendly like matches' and this game could well be very much like that. Neither North Macedonia or Bulgaria can win promotion or be relegated from their group so it all boils down to how seriously they take the difference between finishing second and third in the standings. Either this will be a rather drab affair or, alternatively, both sides will throw off the shackles and aim to give the best possible account of themselves. What way it goes is anybody's guess.
The desire to take their foot off the gas in this game could be cancelled out by the home crowd willing North Macedonia on. Will they look to sign off their campaign in style?
North Macedonia Predicted lineup – Dimitrievski, Zajkov, Alioski, Musliu, Velkovski, Elmas, Bardhi, Spirovski, Ashkovski, Miovski, Ristovski
Bulgaria might arrive here with nothing to play for but they'll still want to sign off in style. After their last showing, which saw five different scorers in a 5-1 win over Gibraltar, an unchanged lineup is possible.
Bulgaria Predicted lineup – Naumov, Antov, Hristov, Nedyalkov, Turitsov, Petkov, Krastev, Stefanov, Gruev, Kirilov, Despodov
A quickfire FAQ on North Macedonia vs Bulgaria
- Where is the match being hosted? – National Arena Toshe Proeski
- Who do the bookmakers have as favourites? – North Macedonia
- What time does the match kick off? 19:45 GMT