Belgium will face North Macedonia in the European qualifiers for the World Cup. This match will occur in Ghent on Friday, October 10, starting at 20:45 Central European Time. Here’s what to expect from this matchup.
Match preview
The Belgian national team is in the midst of a generational transition. They did not perform well in the last European Championship and had a difficult run in the Nations League.
A victory over Ukraine helped them avoid relegation from League A. After an initial 1-3 loss, their prospects seemed low. In the World Cup qualifiers, Belgium is in a relatively easy group with no major competitors for the top position.
In their opening game, Belgium surprised many by drawing with North Macedonia. They then secured a tough win over Wales and easily defeated Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan, both by 6-0 margins.
The matches in October will be crucial for Belgium. They are expected to perform well in this group, and wins against North Macedonia and Wales will significantly boost their chances of finishing first.
North Macedonia is experiencing one of its best phases in football history. Last year, they advanced to Nations League Division B, overcoming teams like Armenia and Latvia.
This year, North Macedonia started its World Cup qualifying campaign in March, earning four points in the first two matches. After a home draw with Wales, they surprised many by drawing with Belgium earlier this summer.
Although the win against Kazakhstan was hard-fought, they comfortably beat Liechtenstein at home. Currently, they lead the group, but their chances for continued success seem limited. A loss to Belgium could end their hopes.
While North Macedonia will strive to compete against the talented Belgian team, they are at a disadvantage in individual skill. However, it’s noteworthy that they haven’t lost an official match in almost two years, making this upcoming game intriguing.
Match facts
- Belgium has won their last three home games.
- They scored 16 goals in their last three matches.
- North Macedonia is unbeaten in their last 12 official games.
- Belgium averages 2.7 goals per home game, while North Macedonia averages 1.4 goals away.
Probable lineups
- Belgium: Courtois, Theate, Debast, De Kuyper, Castagne, Raskin, Vanaken, De Bruyne, Trossard, Doku, Openda.
- North Macedonia: Dimitrievski, Ilievski, Stojcevski, Zaikov, Alioski, Alimi, Bardhi, Churlinov, Elmas, Trajkovski, Miovski.
H2H
North Macedonia has yet to win against Belgium, with two draws and three losses.
Prediction
Rudy Garcia’s team is stronger than any rival in their group and is favored to win every match. They will aim to capitalize on the earlier points dropped in September against North Macedonia. My prediction: a home win with a -1.5 goal handicap.