Liontips
Portugal vs North Macedonia: prediction for the 2022 World Cup qualifier
On March 29, Portugal will host North Macedonia for the 2022 World Cup qualifier. What to expect from this game? The answer is in our prediction.
Command Analysis
Portugal
PortugalPortugal national team had been in a rusty form throughout the previous year, favourite of Euro 2020 barely managed to get past the group stage. In three matches team earned only one victory and one draw, so team ended up third in the group, barely avoiding elimination. However, their success was short-lived - at the round of 16 The Selecao were beaten by Belgium (0:1).
At the group stage of the World Cup qualification Fernando Santos' men failed to secure a top spot. In eight rounds hosts recorded five victories and two draws, delivering 17 points and a 2nd spot in the standings.
Portuguese side scored 17 goals in the process and allowed less than one goal per game. In the playoff semifinals Portugal recorded a 3:1 victory over Turkey (3:1).
Lopes, Neves and Pepe won't feature in the upcoming match.
North Macedonia
MacedoniaIn the previous year North Macedonia managed to qualify for Euro 2020, which is a huge achievement for a team. However, team failed to find success at the tournament - The Red Lions failed to pick up a single point in the group stage and finished at the bottom of the group.
Blagoja Milevski's men managed to reach the playoffs of World Cup qualification out of the tough group - Germany, Romania, Armenia, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Balkan side was not considered a favourite, but an unexpected victory over Germany helped the team to slip through.
In the play-off semi-final visitors made another huge sensation. Macedonia eliminated the current European champions, Italy, out of competition.
Trends
СтавкаCorrect score 3:1
Hosts won 4 of 5 latest home matches
СтавкаCorners: total under 9,5
This bet played in 2 of 4 latest matches of the visitors
СтавкаGoals in both halves - yes
In 2 of 4 latest head-to-head matches goals were scored in both halves
СтавкаA draw in one of the halves - yes
In 3 of 5 latest matches of the visitors this bet played
Tip and bets
We are expecting an extremely cautious defensive performance from the visitors in this game, they already made one sensation. But hosts will not only have a fans' support at Dragao, they also have a number of hugely experienced and skilled players, who are able to beat any opponent.
Our prediction - Asian handicap (-1,5) on Portugal
Visitors will park the bus in this game in an attempt to find a chance on counter-attack or from a set-piece. Portugal national team got used to it though, so Selecao will probably get the victory by a comfortable margin.
Our second bet is on Portugal to win by two goals
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