Macedonia vs Gibraltar Predictions

The hosts secured their place at the summit of the group last time out when beating Liechtenstein, though with Armenia just three points behind them, they’ll need to win this game to ensure that they finish in top spot.

Since the start of this competition, it’s been obvious that Macedonia are a bit too good for most of the teams that they’re going up against. They met their match in Armenia, though they’ve clearly got a lot more about them than both Liechtenstein and Gibraltar, who they beat by two goals to nil in the reverse fixture.

On the face of it, Gibraltar did well to avoid a thumping when the pair met on match-day one, though the result doesn’t tell the full story. Having cruised into a two-goal lead, the Macedonians were happy to take their foot right off the gas and simply coast to victory on the road, but they aren’t likely to be so forgiving on their own patch, especially since they know top spot is at stake.

Against the lesser sides, Macedonia have done more than enough to suggest that they can dish out a real beating on Monday. They notched four at home against Liechtenstein, while they were well clear in terms of expected goals on that occasion. Against a Gibraltar side that got torn apart by the Armenians last time out, the hosts really should finish League D, Group 4 in style.

Given that they’ve achieved very little prior to taking part in this competition, Gibraltar must be applauded for their efforts. The minnows have performed with credit at times; they went away to Armenia and came back with all three points, while they won for the second time in a row (for the first time ever) when beating Liechtenstein next time out.

However, it’s important not to divert from the fact that Gibraltar are still a very easy team to get at. They may have kept a clean sheet away against Armenia, but they were extremely fortunate to do so, while their limitations were clearly exposed when they conceded six against the Armenians just a few days ago.

From a betting point of view, it is impossible to go against the hosts, and the bet that stands out is ‘Macedonia -2 Handicap’. After conceding six goals and, more importantly, 4.06 expected goals against Armenia last time out, the visitors are backed to have their defensive frailties exposed once again. Moreover, against the lesser teams, the Macedonians, have done a good job of giving nothing away, as the fact that they’ve conceded a total of just 0.79 expected goals in three matches against Liechtenstein and Gibraltar.