Wales registered an unconvincing triumph over group whipping boys Liechtenstein on Saturday evening, running out 1-0 winners at the Rheinpark Stadion.
After drawing four of their opening seven qualifying fixtures, North Macedonia’s recent friendly meeting with Latvia produced a drab 0-0 stalemate.
Recommended bet: Draw @ 5/2 with LiveScore Bet
In what promises to be a dramatic conclusion to World Cup qualifying Group J, Wales host a do-or-die meeting with North Macedonia on Tuesday night. Although both teams have a slim chance of securing automatic qualification, this one feels like a straight shootout for a place in next year’s play-offs.
Team News
Having both received their second yellow cards of this campaign during last weekend’s clash in Vaduz, captain Ethan Ampadu and fellow midfielder Jordan James are suspended for this crucial tie. As a result, Bolton Wanderers’ Josh Sheehan could feature in the middle of the park, who made his last international start in early September against Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, Harry Wilson is once again available after returning from his one-match ban, and will likely assume an advanced role in the Welsh midfield. There remains a question mark over Chris Mepham’s fitness, with the West Brom defender struggling with a niggling injury.
North Macedonia boss Blagoja Milevski almost has a full complement to choose from, but is without Ezgjan Alioski after the former Leeds United full-back fractured his fibula in late October. Although he was withdrawn at the interval against Latvia, influential skipper Enis Bardhi appears to be in a clean bill of health.
The latest Wales vs. North Macedonia odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
As North Macedonia boast a superior goal difference to Wales, a draw will be enough for the visitors to clinch a play-off berth. If group leaders Belgium somehow drop points at home to rock-bottom Liechtenstein, a win for either side in Cardiff would see them safely through.
Craig Bellamy’s men have conceded ten times in qualifying so far, but eight of these goals were shipped in two thrilling encounters with group Belgium.
Having registered two victories and a draw in their opening three away qualifiers, North Macedonia are already guaranteed to claim more points on the road than at Skopje’s Toše Proeski Arena.
The latest Wales vs. North Macedonia odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
This is a perfectly poised contest between two evenly matched sides. With a ticket to next summer’s World Cup finals on the line, the stakes could hardly be higher.
Neither team has much experience in successfully closing out qualification campaigns, which will do little to settle the nerves in South Wales. Although they made it to Qatar last time around, 2022 marked the Dragons’ first World Cup appearance for over six decades.
North Macedonia have featured in just one major tournament during their relatively short existence as a FIFA member, finishing bottom of Group C in the delayed 2020 European Championships.
Given the visitors’ strong inclination for draws and the tension that will inevitably surround the Cardiff City Stadium, this one could easily end all square. Wales will admittedly push hard for a winner if the scoreline is level late on, but do not underestimate the capabilities of North Macedonia’s steely defence.
