Switzerland reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in the summer, only to lose 3-1 to Argentina in extra time. Before that, however, they had been relegated to League B of the Nations League. They began their campaign on the field of their current opponents, cruising to a 3-0 victory. They repeated the same scoreline in Scotland. They did concede against Slovenia, but still won 2-1.
In the previous Nations League, North Macedonia won their League C group with sixteen points. That earned them a place in the playoffs in the spring, but they immediately lost to Denmark, going down 4-0. In the autumn, they also suffered a 2-0 defeat to Slovenia in their head-to-head meeting. The same scoreline was repeated in the third round against Scotland.
The footballers from the world’s most neutral country score an average of 1.9 goals per match while conceding just 0.8. The representatives of one of the former Yugoslav republics average 0.2 goals scored and 2.3 conceded.
Previous matches: Switzerland vs North Macedonia
The teams met for the first time last month.
The hosts are unlikely to even notice such an opponent. We are backing them to win with a -2.5-goal handicap (odds – 1.85).
Switzerland vs North Macedonia: key statistics and trends
Switzerland have won all three of their previous Nations League matches
60% of Switzerland’s matches end with both teams scoring, while the average total goals per match is 2.7
North Macedonia have lost four matches in a row
20% of North Macedonia’s matches end with both teams scoring, while the average total goals per match is 2.5
Switzerland vs North Macedonia: possible starting lineups
Switzerland play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Kobel – Ategame, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez – Freuler, Jashari – Aebischer, Manzambi, Ndoye – Amdouni
North Macedonia play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Dimitrievski – Mladenovski, Musliu, Meliki, Ilievski – Gashtarov, Stankovski – Elmas, Bardhi, Omerogic – Miovski. Atanasov is suspended.
