North Macedonia vs Scotland Prediction 3 October 2026
π North Macedonia have gone six matches in a row without scoring - a run without precedent in the national team's history. Scotland have not scored since June, when John McGinn's goal gave them victory over Haiti at the World Cup. The two sides are separated by a single point in the group table, with Scotland third and North Macedonia bottom. The Group B1 League B matchday 3 fixture takes place on 3 October in Skopje at the ToΕ‘e Proeski Arena.
π We regularly update this prediction. Keep an eye on the Latest News section.
Head-to-Head
π The two sides have met four times, always in World Cup qualifying, with their last encounter coming 13 years ago. North Macedonia's only win came in the first meeting, on 6 September 2008 in Skopje (1-0). That goal originated from a free kick by GoΔΠ΅ Sedloski, the current home side's manager: Craig Gordon pushed the ball onto the post, and IlΔo Naumoski converted the rebound. Since then, Scotland have gone three consecutive meetings without losing to North Macedonia, including a trip to Skopje in 2013.
North Macedonia: Rebuilding, but Results Still Elusive
This is North Macedonia's first campaign in League B, and they have started it with two defeats - at home to Switzerland and away in Ljubljana against Slovenia. With no points and five goals conceded, they sit bottom of the group. The Macedonian press is already debating the position of GoΔΠ΅ Sedloski. The first player in the national team's history to earn a hundred caps, he took charge before the play-off semi-final against Denmark. Since then, Sedloski has had six attempts and has not won any of them.
Sedloski is openly building a new squad. In Ljubljana he made eight changes to the starting line-up from the home match against Switzerland and left captain Enis Bardi on the bench. The changes produced no result: Slovenia scored twice after the break. But the coach has said he will not abandon his approach of bringing in younger players.
Match Results: North Macedonia
Scotland: Pocognoli starts from scratch
Scotland played at a World Cup for the first time in 28 years but failed to get out of the group, and Steve Clarke resigned. The national team was taken over by Belgian SΓ©bastien Pocognoli, who had previously been in charge of Monaco. His start has been modest: one point from two games and third place in the group.
Scotland picked up a point in Ljubljana, but Pocognoli's home debut fell apart almost immediately. Jack Hendry brought down Dan Ndoye as he broke through on goal. After a VAR review, the penalty was overturned, but Hendry's yellow card was upgraded to a red. Ricardo RodrΓguez opened the scoring from the free kick, and by the 12th minute Scotland were down to ten men and chasing the game. They lost to Switzerland 0-3. Now, in Pocognoli's words, the team need to start from scratch and show more than they did against the Swiss.
Match Results: Scotland
Latest news
North Macedonia
β Ezgjan Alioski of Lugano missed the match in Ljubljana with a calf injury. On 28 September, Macedonian media reported that he was being prepared for the Scotland match. A British preview from 1 October says otherwise: Alioski has left the national team camp. The same source names Vardar midfielder Boban Nikolov as unavailable. Bojan Miovski of Rangers is likely to return to the starting XI - he started against Switzerland and came on in the 80th minute in Ljubljana.
Scotland
β Jack Hendry is serving a suspension following his red card against Switzerland. Scott McTominay is not in the squad: according to the Scottish Football Association as of 15 September, the Napoli midfielder is recovering from a heart procedure. ChΓ© Adams of Torino was also listed as injured at that time. Andy Robertson could win his 100th cap in Skopje, which would make him only the second player in the men's team to reach that milestone after Kenny Dalglish. Kieron Bowie and Robbie Ure of Sevilla are competing for a place alongside Oli McBurnie in attack. Bowie was taken off as early as the 13th minute in the previous match, after Hendry's red card.
Predicted Lineups
π Predicted starting XI for North Macedonia: Dimitrievski - Ilievski, Zajkov, Musliu, Alomerovic - Atanasov, Gashtarov - Mitrovski, Bardhi, Elmas - Miovski.
π Predicted starting XI for Scotland: Gunn - Binks, McKenna, Welsh - Hickey, Gilmour, Ferguson, McGinn, Robertson - Bowie, McBurnie.
β½οΈ Goals prediction
Scotland have scored more than one goal in none of their last five matches. In the Nations League, they have failed to score more than two goals in 12 consecutive games. The same pattern holds away from home - 11 away matches in a row. Pokonjolli's attack is still taking shape, so we are not expecting a second Scotland goal in Skopje. The bet is Scotland Team Total - Under 1.5.
π© Corners prediction
In their last ten official matches, North Macedonia have won 30 corners while their opponents have won 69. Scotland earned 41 corners over the same period, including matches against Brazil, Morocco and Switzerland. Against a side that concedes corners so frequently, Scotland should win more than usual. The bet is Scotland Corners Team Total - Over 4.5.
π¨ Yellow cards prediction
North Macedonia players have picked up 26 yellow cards in their last ten official matches, while their opponents received 15. In Ljubljana, Andrej Stojchevski and Jani Atanasov were both booked early in the second half. Scotland are more disciplined: 14 yellows over the same period, compared to 18 for their opponents. We expect the majority of the bookings in Skopje to fall to the home side. The bet is North Macedonia Yellow Cards Team Total - Over 1.5.
π Player statistic bet
Crvena Zvezda debutant Matej Gashtarov has led his side in tackles and interceptions across the first two rounds. The cost of that style of play was already evident in the opening match: early in the second half against Switzerland, the referee showed him a straight red card, which was only downgraded to a yellow after a VAR review. In Ljubljana, Gashtarov again started in central midfield. He faces the same combative role against Scotland. The bet is Gashtarov to be shown a yellow card.
π± Risky bet
A draw in Skopje is priced at 3.60 - a continuation of the likely scenario. North Macedonia have gone six matches in a row without winning. Scotland under Pokonjolli are also still waiting for their first win. Both sides will be primarily focused on not losing, and cautious football from both teams can easily produce a draw. The risk is genuine: on paper the visitors are stronger, and if their drought ends first, one goal could be enough. The bet is a draw at 3.60.
π― Reliable bet
North Macedonia have scored more than one goal in only 1 of their last 10 matches, and in only 1 of their last 7 at home. Under Sedloski, the hosts have yet to score at all. Even if that drought ends on Saturday, a second goal looks unlikely: Scotland have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 5 away matches. The odds are modest, but there is little doubt here. The bet is North Macedonia Team Total - Under 1.5 at 1.22*.
π If the match doesn't follow the script
The likely scenario is a cautious game with one or two goals, leaving North Macedonia with at least a point. That changes in one situation: if Scotland take an early lead. The hosts would then have to open up, giving the visitors space on the counter-attack. The markets would shift towards a Scotland win and a second Scotland goal. Keep those in mind for in-play if Scotland go ahead inside the first half-hour.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
π Editorial Prediction
North Macedonia are hard to beat at home: they have lost just once in their last ten home matches, in the opening round against Switzerland. To take all three points from Skopje, Scotland need to score, and they last managed that back in June, at the World Cup. Since then the visitors have gone four matches in a row without a goal. We expect a tight, low-scoring game in which the hosts come away with at least a point. The bet is North Macedonia not to lose. Predicted score: 1-1.
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Betting Tips: North Macedonia - Scotland
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