Prediction 1
BTTS
11/10 (2.10)
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Odds from
Prediction 2
Over 2.5 Goals
5/6 (1.83)
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Odds from
* Betting odds were correct at the time of publication but are subject to change.
North Macedonia vs Malta: Top Two Predictions
We're bringing you our Euro 2024 predictions for Thursday's clash between North Macedonia and Malta. Malta will be hoping to avoid the tag of ‘whipping boys' in Group C of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The minnows kick-off their qualifying campaign away at North Macedonia and while the home side are the clear favourite to win, these two sides did play out a draw the last time they met.
Contents
Both Teams to Score
Our first North Macedonia vs Malta prediction is for both teams to score. Two of the last three meetings between these two nations have produced goals at both ends of the pitch, including their last encounter in 2010 which ended in a 1-1 draw. Both teams have also scored in each of the host's last two fixtures, while four of Malta's last six international matches have ended with both teams getting on the scoreboard.
Over 2.5 Goals
Our second North Macedonia vs Malta prediction regards the total goals scored during the 90-minutes. We're hopeful of goals in this game as three of the last four head-to-heads between the two nations have produced over 2.5 goals. At least three goals have been scored in four of Malta's last six outings and North Macedonia's last game against Azerbaijan saw four goals scored, so you can see why we're predicting goals on Thursday night.
North Macedonia vs Malta Odds
Let's take a look at the latest markets and odds ahead of North Macedonia vs Malta.
North Macedonia odds: 2/5 (1.40) – 71.4%
Draw odds: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
Malta odds: 9/1 (10.00) – 10%
*all odds provided are the best price at the time of publication and come from various bookmakers and therefore the probabilities won't always add up to 100%.
As you might expect, North Macedonia are the overwhelming favourite to win this Euro 2024 qualifier but if you want more football betting tips for this game then why not check out the Anytime Goalscorer market? Milan Ristovski is the favourite to score in this game at 13/8 (2.63) which has a probability of 38.1%, but you can also back Bojan Miovski at 17/10 (2.70) with a probability of 37% or Ilija Nestorovski at 15/8 (2.88) and that has a probability of 34.8%.
North Macedonia vs Malta Lineups
North Macedonia
The hosts will be without three of their midfielder regulars this week as Stefan Spirovski, Boban Nikolov and Ferhan Hasani have not been selected for the North Macedonia squad for one reason or another. Davor Zdravkovski is the only uncapped player to get a call-up by the home side and the 24-year-old will be hoping to feature against Malta on Thursday. Aleksandar Trajkovski is the main goal threat in the North Macedonia squad and someone that the Malta defence will have to mark very carefully.
Predicted Lineup – Dimitrievski (GK), Ristovski, Musliu, Alioski, Ristevski, Ademi, Bardhi, Elmas, Nestorovski, Ashkovski & Trajkovski
Malta
The likes of Jake Grech, Jurgen Degabriele, Luke Gambin, Luke Montebello, Steve Pisani, Jean Borg, Kurt Shaw and Enrico Pepe have missed out on call-ups for the opening qualifiers for Euro 2024 and an uncapped quartet will be hoping to earn their first cap. Goalkeepers Cain Formosa and Matthew Grech could make their international debuts this week, though, Henry Bonello is expected to start the game against North Macedonia. Luke Tabone is a 25-year-old defender looking to earn his first cap but has some very experienced internationals in front of him, while midfielder Yannick Yankam will be hopeful of picking up his first senior appearance for Malta.
Predicted Lineup – Bonello (GK), Muscat, Apap, Borg, Kristensen, Camenzuli, Teuma, Guillaumier, Mbong, Jones & Satariano
Player to Watch: Enis Bardhi
North Macedonia's No.10, Enis Bardhi, has 52-caps to his name and has scored 13 international goals.
The 27-year-old Trabzonspor midfielder could prove to be the key to unlocking the Malta defence on Thursday night and if Trajkovski isn't putting the ball into the back of the net then Bardhi might be.
If North Macedonia and Enis Bardhi play to their best this week then the Malta defence will not be able to cope, and that is why we've highlighted Bardhi as our player to watch in this game.
North Macedonia vs Malta – FAQ
- Who are the favourite to win? – North Macedonia are the big favourite to win.
- What was the score when these two teams last met? – Malta 1-1 North Macedonia (Friendly).
- What time is kick-off? – 19:45 GMT, 20:45 CET.
- Who will be the referee when North Macedonia takes on Malta on Thursday, 23rd March 2023? Estonia referee Kristo Tohver will be in charge of the game. The 41-year-old referee averages 6 yellow cards in the European Championship qualifiers. This will be his third assignment in the qualifiers.
- Where will North Macedonia vs Malta match be played? The game will be played at Tose Proeski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.
- Who is the hosting referee in this game? Blagoja Milevski is the hosting referee. He averages 1.35 points after 17 games of 6 wins, 5 draws and 6 defeats. He hasn't coached a team outside his country.
- Which line up formations do we expect in this game? North Macedonia is expected to use a 3-4-3 line up while Malta is likely to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation. The information is based on recent outings.
