Verdict: Whole away objectives over 1.5

Greatest odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Unibet

Belgium will start their World Cup 2026 qualifying marketing campaign with a visit to Skopje for Friday’s conflict in opposition to North Macedonia.

The hosts have already performed twice in qualifying, recording a win over Liechtenstein and a draw in opposition to Wales within the opening matchdays.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia are aiming to qualify for his or her first-ever World Cup finals, having beforehand made their solely main match look at Euro 2020.

They entered the 2026 qualifying marketing campaign in robust kind, having earned 16 factors from six UEFA Nations League matches to win promotion from League C in late 2024.

Constructing on that momentum, North Macedonia started their World Cup qualifiers with a assured 3-0 residence win over Liechtenstein in March.

Nevertheless, they had been denied back-to-back wins when Bojan Miovski’s 91st-minute strike in opposition to Wales was cancelled out by David Brooks within the 96th minute, leading to a dramatic 1-1 draw that leaves them stage on 4 factors with Wales in Group J.

Regardless of that late setback, the draw prolonged their unbeaten streak to eight matches, with their final defeat coming in a pleasant in opposition to the Czech Republic in June 2024.

In aggressive fixtures, they haven’t misplaced since a 5-2 defeat to Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying again in November 2023, although their present run shall be examined in opposition to a Belgium aspect ranked eighth on this planet – 59 locations above North Macedonia.

Staff Information

Valencia’s Stole Dimitrievski is predicted to start out in aim, protected by a again three of Gjoko Zajkov, Visar Musliu, and Jovan Manev.

Captain Enis Bardhi will lead the aspect and pose an attacking risk as North Macedonia’s third-highest all-time scorer.

Girona striker Bojan Miovski will spearhead the assault, having discovered the online 5 occasions in his final seven worldwide appearances.

Belgium

Rudi Garcia took cost of Belgium earlier this 12 months after Domenico Tedesco was dismissed following disappointing outcomes at Euro 2024 and within the 2024/25 Nations League.

After failing to progress past the final 16 on the Euros, Belgium completed within the relegation playoff place of their Nations League group, having misplaced 4 of six matches in Group A2.

Garcia’s reign started with a 3-1 defeat to Ukraine within the playoff tie, however he then guided the Crimson Devils to a 3-0 win within the second leg, preserving their League A standing within the Nations League.

The Frenchman now turns his consideration to guiding Belgium to a fourth straight World Cup, together with his aspect thought-about favourites to prime a qualifying group that features North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein.

Having struggled on the street recently, Belgium head to Skopje searching for their first away win since a 3-2 victory over Austria in Euro 2024 qualifying final October.

The guests can draw confidence from their robust document in opposition to North Macedonia, profitable three of 4 conferences (D1), together with earlier away wins: a 5-0 success in Euro qualifying in June 1995 and a 2-0 World Cup qualifier triumph in March 2013.

Staff Information

Belgium shall be with out Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who withdrew because of a again damage.

Membership Brugge’s Nordin Jackers has been known as up as cowl, however Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels is predicted to start out in aim for Friday’s fixture.

Up entrance, Romelu Lukaku, contemporary off profitable Serie A with Napoli, will purpose so as to add to his spectacular tally of 88 worldwide objectives as he leads the Belgian assault.

Conclusion

North Macedonia could also be driving an eight-match unbeaten streak, however dealing with Belgium stays a big problem for the hosts on Friday. The guests’ superior high quality is prone to show decisive, and in the end see them edging out a slim win on the Tose Proeski Enviornment.

Verdict: Whole away objectives over 1.5

Greatest odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Unibet