Belgium vs North Macedonia Predictions

• Belgium won their last two qualifiers 6-0
• North Macedonia have lost three of their last four away qualifiers by an average of four goals
• Belgium have won their last three home games with an aggregate score of 13-3

Crunch week for Red Devils

Belgium face their “week of truth” in World Cup qualifying and will need to beat either North Macedonia on Friday or Wales in Cardiff next week to remain on course for the finals next summer.

Ideally, Rudi Garcia’s side would win both fixtures to go top of the group ahead of much easier remaining fixtures. And the way the Red Devils played in thrashing both Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein 6-0 last month was a step in the right direction.

Goals are not a problem, despite the injury-enforced absence of Romelu Lukaku. Wingers and midfielders like Jeremy Doku, Malick Fofana and Youri Tielemans chipped in last month while Kevin De Bruyne bagged three goals across their two big wins.

Happy De Bruyne should worry North Macedonia

De Bruyne’s demeanour can be a barometer of how Belgium’s national team are doing and the fact that the Napoli star, who appeared to threaten to quit international football just over a year ago, seems happy is a good sign for the Red Devils.

Garcia’s side are still packed with creative and exciting players while Thibaut Courtois remains as dependable as ever at the back. They should secure another victory on Friday – probably with a fourth clean sheet in six.

North Macedonia were well worth their 1-1 home draw against the Red Devils in March when Ezgjan Alioski scored a late leveller reminiscent of David Platt’s in that famous Italia 90 last-16 clash. But they have a poor record in away qualifiers, having lost 7-0 to England, 2-0 to Ukraine and 5-2 to Italy on the path to Euro 2024. Back the hosts to cover a -2 handicap with a 3-=0 scoreline looking like the most probable outcome.