Portugal vs. North Macedonia Predictions: Portuguese to finally end the dream for the Lynxes

World Cup 2022 playoff finals are upon us, with already history makers North Macedonia looking to go one step further, only 90 minutes separating these two sides from qualification. 

Portugal made light work of Turkey in the semi-final where they ran out 3-1 winners. Expecting to be facing Italy in a tough final to achieve World Cup qualification, they now face minnows North Macedonia in a match-up they will be expecting to cruise. Portugal are priced at 1/14 to qualify, with the opposition a whopping 8/1. Cancelo is set to return after serving a ban so will slot back in at right back, with the line-up elsewhere expected to be the same as when facing Turkey in the semi-final.

An incredible performance last week saw North Macedonia knock out European Champions Italy in dramatic fashion. 32 shots from Italy, but unable to find the back of the net, left them heartbroken when North Macedonia scored with only their fourth shot of the match in the 92nd minute, knocking Italy out of World Cup 2022. 

North Macedonia see the return of two midfielders, Eljif Elmas and Tihomir Kostadinov, following their suspension and missing out against Italy. Expecting a similar starting XI elsewhere for the visitors, with the chance of going down in International history if they can overcome this huge obstacle that stands before them.

Portugal possible starting lineup:
Costa; Cancelo, Pereira, Fonte, Guerreiro; Silva, Moutinho, Fernandes; Otavio, Ronaldo, Jota

North Macedonia possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; S. Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu, Alioski; Elmas, Kostadinov, Bardhi; Churlinov, M. Ristovski, Trajkovski

Although North Macedonia did the impossible against European Champions last week, it’s going to be incredibly tough to withstand another onslaught from this Portugal side who will be looking to grasp this opportunity with both hands.

Portugal started with a bang against Turkey, netting twice before half time, almost putting the game to bed before the break. After the drama against Italy, Portugal will come out of the blocks firing again here looking to gain qualification as quickly as possible, not wanting to see a repeat of the embarrassments of midweek. Portugal have scored in the first half in five of their last six matches while preventing their opposition from scoring in four of those six.

With so much on the line for both sides, the game could well see a few cards brandished. Anthony Taylor has the whistle for this and averages 3.83 yellows and 0.17 reds per game which isn’t the worst.

Central defenders against Portugal get booked rather often, across their last twelve matches, their opposition has had a central defender booked in ten of those twelve matches. Only Kostadinov makes more fouls for North Macedonia than Musliu, who has been booked twelve times across twenty-nine internationals since 2020. Penned in to play left centre back I like the price of 15/8 for a small stake given the record of defenders facing an attack with Ronaldo, Jota and co. 

@DeanWoodwrd93 BettingOdds Profit/Loss 2022 +8.43units.