Poland V North Macedonia
Sunday 13 October 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 13/10
Bookmaker: Unibet
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/25 | 21/5 | 37/4 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 11 October 2019 at 13:20)
Preview: As many as five countries could still secure automatic qualification in Group G, so compact and competitive has this section been. Leading the way are Poland, who have a five point buffer over the team in third, North Macedonia, which just so happens to be who the Poles face next at their National Stadium in Warsaw.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting – 22Bet
Poland Preview – Another Lewandowski masterclass incoming?
Results in Group G: Austria 0-1 (A), Latvia 2-0 (H), North Macedonia 0-1 (A), Israel 4-0 (H), Slovenia 2-0 (A), Austria 0-0 (H), Latvia 0-3 (A)
The scoring exploits of Robert Lewandowski would once again grab the headlines in Thursday’s 3-0 win in Latvia, as the country’s all-time leading scorer added goals number 58, 59 and 60 to his international collection with a hat-trick. More important were the three points registered on the back of that fine performance, with Poland (1st – W5 D1 L1, GF11 GA2) now in a commanding position to qualify for the finals next summer.
A win here, over a North Macedonia side they beat 1-0 away from home in June, coupled with Slovenia not beating Austria at home would make qualification official for Poland. Plenty of incentive for coach Jerzy Brzeczek and his players then, whose only dropped points at home during this qualifying campaign came in a goalless draw to an Austrian outfit currently second in the standings. Israel (4-0) and Latvia (2-0) were both routinely beaten in Warsaw.
A solid rearguard has been the fulcrum of this team’s success so far. No team comes anywhere close to their staunch defensive displays, with their two goals conceded a figure at least five better than their rivals in this group and only bettered elsewhere by Belgium and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the only occasion a clean sheet was not kept was in their sole loss, which came away to Austria (2-0).
North Macedonia Preview – Qualification hopes hinge on a positive result?
Results in Group G: Latvia 3-1 (H), Slovenia 1-1 (A), Poland 0-1 (H), Austria 1-4 (H), Israel 1-1 (A), Latvia 0-2 (A), Slovenia 2-1 (H)
A brace from midfielder Elif Elmas – his second of this Euro 2020 qualifying campaign – ensured North Macedonian (3rd – W3 D2 L2, GF10 GA9) remained in touch of the automatic qualification positions with a superb 2-1 win at home to Slovenia on Thursday. The Slovenians are one of their main competitors for a top two finish, so that was a huge scalp and moved them up into third in the standings, two points behind the Austrians in second.
For a nation that has never progressed to the finals of a major tournament, an opportunity to become national sporting heroes is presenting itself to this group of players. The problem being that two of their final three qualifiers are not only on the road but against the toughest teams in this section. First up are Poland, before a crunch meeting in Vienna with Austria next month. Fortunately, this side has been rather adept on its travels thus far.
After trips to Israel (1-1), Latvia (0-2) and Slovenia (1-1), North Macedonia are still to taste defeat (W1 D2). Their only triumph would come against a still-pointless Latvia but the sight of them competing – as well as scoring – in each outing has to be viewed in a positive light. Furthermore, their away form stretching much further back is even more encouraging – a 4-0 loss in Armenia their only defeat in such games for almost three years (W5 D5 L1).
Poland V North Macedonia Key Facts:
- Poland top the group (W5 D1 L1) and have now lost only one on their last eight games in all competitions (W5 D2 L1).
- North Macedonia sit third in the standings (W3 D2 L2), but have tasted defeat just once in their previous eleven away matches (W5 D5 L1).
- The previous meeting in this group concluded with a 1-0 victory for visiting Poland, who are still to lose to this opponent (W3 D1).
Betting Summary
Poland would be guaranteed a place at next summer’s tournament were they to win here and results elsewhere to fall their way. So the Poles will realise how close they are but, conversely, that there is still important work to be completed. A comfortable 3-0 win in Latvia last time out extended their impressive recent form, which has seen them lose one of their past eight matches (W5 D2 L1) and keep a sixth clean sheet of this Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
History beckons for North Macedonia, who knew they had to beat Slovenia in their last match – and duly obliged. That win could count for very little, however, were they not to secure a positive result here. Another committed effort is expected therefore. Some strong performances on the road in this group (W1 D2) bodes well, as does one defeat in their previous eleven away fixtures (W5 D5 L1).
This has the ingredients to be an absorbing clash, with both ideally needing the win. Although defeat would prove more costly for the visitors, who have scored on every away outing in this campaign and can cause a formidable Polish rearguard some problems. The latter factor is the main reason we are getting such attractive odds on both teams scoring.
