North Macedonia Euro 2021 Tips and Betting Odds
Welcome to BettingOdds.com's Euro 2021 profile series, where we'll be counting down to next summer's tournament with an in-depth look at the betting opportunities for each of the countries involved.
Author's Opinion
This summer will be historic for North Macedonia as they will be heading to a major tournament for the first time since gaining independence from Yugoslavia. Former, Lazio, Inter Milan and Napoli forward Goran Pandev fittingly scored the goal that sealed qualification to Euro 2021 and the verteran and all time top goalscorer will be hoping his team can do the nation proud.
North Macedonia were always going to face a tricky group at the tournament and I actually think they have been dealt one of the more generous hands in Group C. I think they will put up a good fight against Austria and Ukraine, however I ultimately think the group stage is as far as they can go. A remarkable victory against Germany in March gives hope to those wanting an upset from a smaller nation but with the Netherlands also in Group C it’s hard to see them progressing.
Confirmed North Macedonia squad for Euro 2021
Goalkeepers: Stole Dimitrievski (Rayo Vallecano), Risto Jankov (Rabotnicki), Damjan Siskovski (Doxa Katokopia)
Defenders: Egzijan Alioski (Leeds), Egzon Bejtulai (Shkëndija), Visar Musliu (Fehérvár), Kire Ristevski (Újpest), Stefan Ristovski (Dinamo Zagreb), Darko Velkovski (Rijeka), Gjoko Zajkov (Charleroi)
Midfielders: Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb), Enis Bardi (Levante), Darko Churlinov (Stuttgart), Eljif Elmas (Napoli), Feran Hasani (Partizani), Tihomir Kostadinov (Ružomberok), Boban Nikolov (Lecce), Milan Ristovski (Spartak Trnava), Stefan Spirovski (AEK Larnaca)
Forwards: Daniel Avramovski (Kayserispor), Goran Pandev (Genoa), Marjan Radeski (Akademija Pandev), Vlatko Stojanovski (Chambly), Aleksandar Trajkovski (Mallorca), Ivan Tričkovski (AEK Larnaca), Krste Velkovski (Sarajevo)
Top three scorers & shot takers this season - Club & Country
Goran Pandev, Genoa
- Goals: 8
- Shots per game: 0.9
- Shots on target per game: 0.4
Ezgjan Alioski, Leeds United
- Goals: 5
- Shots per game: 0.7
- Shots on target per game: 0.3
Llija Nestorovski, Udinese
- Goals: 4
- Shots per game: 1.2
- Shots on target per game: 0.5
Top Three Most Carded This Season - Club & Country Combined
Boban Nikolov, Leece
- Yellow Cards: 8
- Red Cards: 0
- Fouls per game: 1.5
Ezgjan Alioski, Leeds United
- Yellow cards: 11
- Red Cards: 0
- Fouls per game: 1.2
Visar Musliu, Fehervar (Hungary)
- Yellow cards: 10
- Red Cards: 0
- Fouls per game: 1.4
Top Three Key Players
Goran Pandev, Genoa
It was fitting how North Macedonia’s highest ever goalscorer, Goran Pandev scored the goal that took them to their first ever major tournament. Scenes of jubilation followed in the former Yugoslav nation, and not only is Pandev their all time top scorer he’s also the most capped player for North Macedonia who gained independence in 1991. Still playing in Serie A at the age of 37, Pandev has scored six league goals this term following on from nine in the previous campaign. He may not have youth on his side but his top level experience with be vital for his country who will want to be taken seriously at the tournament.
Ezgjan Alioski, Leeds United
The only member of the squad currently playing in the Premier League is Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski. A versatile player who is normally deployed as left back by his club manager Marcelo Bielsa, Alioski often features in a more attacking role on the left side of the field for North Macedonia. He can even play as a number 10 if called upon and has five goals to his name ths season. One to watch out for in the shots markets during the group games, however Alioski also has eleven bookings this season for club and country so it will be interesting to see how bookmakers price him up ‘to be carded’ at this summer’s tournament.
Enis Bardhi, Levante
Levante’s Enis Bardhi was named man of the match in North Macedonia’s historic 2-1 victory over Germany at the end of March. The attacking midfielder has been with the Spanish side since joining in 2017 and is the highest scoring foreign player in the history of the club. Bardhi is known for having a free-kick in his locker and backing him for a shot on target from outside the area could be a way in for those dipping into the player props markets.
Young Gun
Eljif Elmas, Napoli
One can only imagine the feelings of joy for 21-year-old Eljif Elmas has he scored the winning goal against Germany earlier this year. A moment he will never forget and the youngster will once again have the opportunity to showcase his talents to the world at this summer’s European Championships. It was rumoured that Elmas was close to joining Leeds along with Alioski last summer, however the move did not happen and gametime has been limited for him this season with most of his appearances coming from the substitutes bench. Elmas is an exciting prospect for the Macedonians and his two goals in the most recent internationals will put him in good stead to start each group game.
North Macedonia’s Outright Odds at Euro 2021
Euro 2021 will be the first time that North Macedonia have been to a European Championships and several bookmakers make them the biggest odds of any team at the tournament, priced at 500/1 to lift the trophy.
North Macedonia Group Odds at Euro 2021
North Macedonia have been drawn in group C at Euro 2021. This puts them up against The Netherlands, Austria and Ukraine. They can be backed at 22/1 to top the group and 9/4 to qualify for the round of 16.
The Gaffer
Igor Angelovski is the manager of Macedonia and has been since 2015. As a player he spent a couple of years in the Slovenian league, but has since won the Macedonian league title and two cups managing Rabotnicki. Angelovski North Macedonia side have lost just two of their last 12 matches on a run that stretches back to 2019.
North Macedonia’s record at the World Cup & Euros - Last 25 years
- 2018 World Cup, did not qualify
- 2016 Euros, did not qualify
- 2014 World Cup, did not qualify
- 2012 Euros, did not qualify
- 2010 World Cup, did not qualify
- 2008 Euros, did not qualify
- 2006 World Cup, did not qualify
- 2004 Euros, did not qualify
- 2002 World Cup, did not qualify
- 2000 Euros, did not qualify
- 1998 World Cup, did not qualify
- 1996 Euros, did not qualify
