Austria vs. North Macedonia Predictions: A winning start for Austria

Group C is certainly no Group of Death and this is a great chance for both of these countries to get off to a winning start...

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Date: Sunday, June 13.

Kick Off Time: 12PM ET

TV: ESPN

I’m not going to sit here at my PC and pretend I've seen an awful lot of North Macedonia because quite simply - I haven’t. I am a big soccer guy who watches probably 8-12 hours of live action per week plus highlights but North Macedonia haven’t been on my radar much. Well that was until they inflicted a World Cup Qualifying defeat on Germany in Germany. Now that was a result that will make you stand up and take notice.

Still they haven’t exactly lit it up during qualifying for this tournament. Due to convoluted rules about the Nations League - they managed to get into a playoff having finished third in their group behind Poland and Sunday’s opponents Austria. That playoff saw them play the heavyweights of Kosovo and then Georgia for the right to make it into the final 24. Talk about a watered down tournament.

Gianni Alioski has been a fine player in the Premier League this season for the thrilling Leeds United side and despite his position being that of left-back, he has been playing in more attacking positions for his country. That fact is underlined by his return of six goals at international level since 2018. Goran Pandev has been a wonderful striker throughout his career. Whilst he is no spring chicken - he’ll be giving it his all having finally qualified for a major tournament.

Austria did the double over North Macedonia in qualifying having won 2-1 at home and 4-1 on the road. Players such as Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer add quality to their squad but everyone knows that David Alaba is their star man. The 28 year-old will swap Bayern Munich for Real Madrid this summer and his position is constantly in flux. He can play left-back, on the wing or in the middle of the park.

What we do know about this game is North Macedonia will want to keep it tight. They won’t open this game up unless they have to. I’m not big on Austria at all and having watched them play England in a friendly last week - my feelings on them dipped even more yet I was surprised they are as long as they are to win this one. North Macedonia are ranked as the 62nd best team in the world. That is not good. I think even a weak Austria side will beat them.

Picks: Austria to win at -133.