Macedonia vs. Ukraine: Preview and betting tips

Friday’s football programme will feature a match between Macedonia and Ukraine in the Euro qualifiers. Given the strong competition in the group, it will be a duel for the third place, which means a barrage. What to expect from the match and what to bet on?

After participating in the last European Championship, Macedonia is not thinking too much about qualification this year. It has two giants in the group – Italy and England. Yet it entered the fight for Germany 2024 with a 2-1 triumph over Malta.

Ukraine were worthy opponents for Germany on Sunday, leading 3: 1 in Bremen and only drawing with a penalty goal in stoppage time. They confirmed their improving form, having lost only one of their last four matches.

Macedonia’s key figures

The hosts rely on Eljif Elmas, the Serie A champion with Napoli, has struck six times and assisted three times this season. In Istanbulspor, Turkey, sharp-shooting striker Valon Ethemi scored four times in addition to 12 shots and assisted four times.

Ukraine’s key figures

The most visible figure on the away side is Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Ukrainian full-back almost dragged Arsenal to the title. Artem Dovbyk is having the season of his life, the Dnipro striker has netted 29 goals and assisted eight.

Macedonia are not in optimum form, failing to even qualify for the second performance group of the Nations League. It has won only one of its last five matches, against a weak Malta, and has fallen to Georgia and Bulgaria.

Ukraine confirmed that it is close to the top of Europe with the weekend draw and its performance in Germany. It is also doing well away from home, and outside of Ukraine, its players have lost only three of their last 12 matches.

Considering Macedonia’s poor form, the Ukrainians’ sympathetic weekend performance in Germany, and the factor of the corner-killer Dobvyk, I think the visitors can win on the underdog’s soil.