Liechtenstein vs North Macedonia Predictions

• Liechtenstein have lost eight of their last ten home games, failing to score in 80% of them.
• North Macedonia are undefeated in their last five World Cup qualifiers (won 2, drawn 3).
• North Macedonia have won nine of their ten meetings with Liechtenstein (1 draw), covering a -1 goal handicap on eight occasions.

Lions can’t lose to lowly Liechtenstein

North Macedonia know they have to beat lowly Liechtenstein on Friday to keep their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup playoffs alive after slipping to fourth in Group J.

Blagoja Milevski took over in September and oversaw three successive draws – against the teams just below leaders Germany – increasing the need for a three-point haul from this fixture.

North Macedonia will know all about an opponent they have faced five times in the last four years – and always comfortably beaten.

The Lions destroyed Liechtenstein 5-0 in Skopje last March under the previous coach and will expect to rattle in some goals in Vaduz on Friday.

Just once in their history have they failed to score at least two against the Blues-Reds and that was the only time they failed to register a win.

Martin Stocklasa’s men were able to keep the score down against a 33-shot German onslaught last month in their 2-0 home defeat.

They usually concede at least two without reply in home qualifiers – such as in recent times against Finland, Greece, Bosnia and the last time the Lions travelled over for a Nations League game.

The visitors to win with a clean sheet has its merits but our preference is to back North Macedonia -1 here because Liechtenstein did get on the scoreboard against Iceland in March and away to Armenia last month.