On March 25, 2025, at 20:45, North Macedonia is set to face Wales in Skopje for the qualifying rounds of the World Cup. This match presents a significant opportunity for the hosts, who will be keen to impress before their home crowd and assert themselves as serious contenders in the World Cup qualifying journey.
The North Macedonian team arrives with a commendable record from the UEFA Nations League, having secured five victories and a single draw against the Faroe Islands. This remarkable performance saw them net ten goals while only conceding one over six matches, leading to their promotion from Division C to a higher division. Their home advantage has often proven beneficial, as higher-ranked teams like England and Italy have left Skopje with only draws in previous encounters.
Wales, on the other hand, is coming off a successful run in the Nations League as well. Under the guidance of their new manager, Craig Bellamy, they finished top of their group and were promoted to Division A, winning three matches and drawing three, scoring nine goals but allowing four. Interestingly, all of Wales’ draws occurred in away games, indicating a potential vulnerability on the road.
The last encounter between North Macedonia and Wales, played in Skopje, ended with a victory for the home side. This history might lend some confidence to the Macedonian players as they prepare to clash with their British counterparts once more.
The odds for the match indicate that Wales is viewed as the slight favorite with a betting line of 2.38 for their victory. The odds for North Macedonia to win are set at 3.13, while a draw hovers around 3.18. Furthermore, betting analysts suggest a potential for under 1.5 total goals during the match, with that line set at about 3.09.
Wales' recent performance has been impressive as they strive to build on their momentum from the Nations League. But with North Macedonia’s current form, which boasts six consecutive wins, including a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein in their earlier match of this qualification campaign, this game promises to be a hard-fought encounter. Wales defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 in their opening qualifying fixture as well.
Both teams have shown they can create multiple goal-scoring opportunities, with each generating more than two expected goals (xG) in their previous matches. Given this, the suggestion that both teams might score seems reasonable, adding to the anticipation for viewers and bettors alike.
The match between North Macedonia and Wales is scheduled to be broadcast live on Polsat Sport 3 and Polsat Sport Premium 3, and also available through the Polsat Box Go application. Fans are urged to tune in to watch what could be a thrilling showcase of international football.
In summary, the upcoming match at the National Arena Toshe Proeski in Skopje not only marks an important milestone in the World Cup qualification journey for both North Macedonia and Wales but also promises to deliver an exciting spectacle. Will North Macedonia continue their strong home record against a resolute Welsh side, or will Wales prove their superiority and snatch a vital away win?
