Portugal vs North Macedonia. Prediction and Betting Tips for 2022 World Cup qualifier

Portugal national team had been in a rusty form throughout the previous year, favourite of Euro 2020 barely managed to get past the group stage. In three matches team earned only one victory and one draw, so team ended up third in the group, barely avoiding elimination. However, their success was short-lived - at the round of 16 The Selecao were beaten by Belgium (0:1). 

At the group stage of the World Cup qualification Fernando Santos' men failed to secure a top spot. In eight rounds hosts recorded five victories and two draws, delivering 17 points and a 2nd spot in the standings. 

Portuguese side scored 17 goals in the process and allowed less than one goal per game. In the playoff semifinals Portugal recorded a 3:1 victory over Turkey (3:1). 

Lopes, Neves and Pepe won't feature in the upcoming match. 

In the previous year North Macedonia managed to qualify for Euro 2020, which is a huge achievement for a team. However, team failed to find success at the tournament - The Red Lions failed to pick up a single point in the group stage and finished at the bottom of the group. 

Blagoja Milevski's men managed to reach the playoffs of World Cup qualification out of the tough group - Germany, Romania, Armenia, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Balkan side was not considered a favourite, but an unexpected victory over Germany helped the team to slip through. 

In the play-off semi-final visitors made another huge sensation. Macedonia eliminated the current European champions, Italy, out of competition.