Italy vs North Macedonia Predictions

• Italy have only won one of their four meetings with North Macedonia
• Italy have only won four of their last nine matches
• North Macedonia have only lost one of their last four outings

Crucial test ahead for Italy

Italy face a crucial final international break of the year as they look to secure qualification to next year’s Euro 2024 finals but it might not come easy to a side that have underperformed so far.

Gli Azzurri are assured of at least a play-off spot but are three points behind Ukraine in the automatic qualifying spots with a game in hand, which almost certainly sets up a huge one-match shootout against Ukraine on Monday.

Underdogs could spring surprise in Rome

First, the hosts must navigate a North Macedonia side that have had the measure of the Italians in recent meetings.

The visitors have only lost one of their four meetings with Italy and that came in their first encounter in 2016. They have drawn two and won one since then, including a 1-0 victory in Italy just last year.

Unsurprisingly, Italy are huge favourites for this one but they look overvalued. They have only won four of their last nine matches and North Macedonia have only lost one of their last four. Their excellent record against the Azzurri makes them worth a small punt in the double chance market, while a third 1-1 draw in the last four meetings could be in store.