Portugal vs North Macedonia: Betting tips, predictions, odds & match preview
Portugal and North Macedonia will face off on Tuesday with a place at the 2022 World Cup on the line (7:45pm kick-off UK time).
Portugal vs North Macedonia: Betting Tips
- Diogo Jota to score anytime @ 23/20 with Kwiff
- Cristiano Ronaldo to have over 3 shots on target @ 7/2 with William Hill
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. Terms and Conditions Apply.
Portugal vs North Macedonia: Predictions
Portugal vs North Macedonia: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | Best odds |
| BTTS? | No | 1/2 with Betfair |
| Correct score | Portugal 3-0 North Macedonia | 31/5 with SBK |
| First Goalscorer | Cristiano Ronaldo | 15/8 with Paddy Power |
Portugal feel like regulars at major tournaments and they haven’t failed to qualify for the World Cup since 1998, with a run of five-straight appearances between 2002 and 2018. In two of those five appearances, Portugal have had to qualify via the play-offs and it’s the same case for 2022.
Fernando Santos’ men went into their final game of Group A knowing a draw would have been enough to secure top spot but a last-gasp defeat to Serbia condemned them to the play-offs. They were handed a tricky tie against Turkey in the semi-final but eventually got through with a comfortable 3-1 win thanks to goals from Otavio, Diogo Jota and Matheus Nunes.
Many expected them to be facing Italy for the chance to reach Qatar but North Macedonia had other ideas. Fresh off the back of their debut appearance at Euro 2020, North Macedonia are looking for a first trip to the World Cup and secured their spot in the play-offs after finishing second in Group J behind Germany.
Whether or not North Macedonia make it to the World Cup they’ll have some memories to cherish and moments to draw from including a 2-1 win over Germany and the play-off semi-final victory against Italy. North Macedonia were under the cosh in Palermo but held off until Aleksandar Trajkovski scored in the second minute of second-half injury time to send his side through. Can they do it again?
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Portugal vs North Macedonia: Match Stats
There may not be a Portuguese player in better form than Diogo Jota right now. The Liverpool forward scored Portugal’s second against Turkey, his ninth goal in 23 games for his national side. It meant he has scored three goals in three games for club and country, also netting for Liverpool against Arsenal in the Premier League and vs Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup after returning from injury.
Joining Jota in the Portugal attack will be Cristiano Ronaldo and he’ll be looking to add to his tally of 115 goals. Against Turkey, Ronaldo had five shots in total, two of which hit the target and another on striking the crossbar. He’ll have a lot of opportunities against a North Macedonia defence that allowed 32 shots vs Italy.
Portugal vs North Macedonia: Squawka Says
Scoreline prediction: Portugal 3-0 North Macedonia
Portugal vs North Macedonia: Odds
Portugal vs North Macedonia: Head to Head
26 May 2012 – Portugal 0-0 North Macedonia – Friendly
2 April 2003 – North Macedonia 0-1 Portugal – Friendly
This will be the first competitive meeting between Portugal and North Macedonia, with their previous two matches being friendlies. Portugal won the first 1-0 thanks to Luis Figo’s goal, while they played out a goalless draw last time out.
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