Euro 2024 Qualifying: Italy vs North Macedonia betting preview

Euro 2024 Qualifying is coming down to the wire. Italy, the defending champions, are at risk of missing out on the tournament next summer in Germany if they can’t grab a win on Friday against North Macedonia, the same side who eliminated them from World Cup qualifying prior to Qatar. The kick-off is scheduled for 2:45 PM ET at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Azzurri are third in Group C with 10 points, sitting behind Ukraine and England, respectively. The North Macedonians meanwhile have just seven points and will simply be looking to play spoiler here.

Head-to-history

These two sides have locked horns four times before, all since 2016. North Macedonia has one win while the Italians have also notched one victory in this matchup. The other two ended level. With nothing to lose, you can expect the visitors to come out to Rome and leave everything on the pitch and potentially prevent the Euro 2020 winners from having the chance to repeat in 2024.

Can Italy get it done?

I’m sure Italy didn’t believe their qualification for the Euros would come down to these final two games, but here we are. It’s been a very average qualifying campaign for Luciano Spalletti’s side, compiling a 3-1-2 record in Group C. In the process, they’ve scored just 11 goals and conceded seven. Putting the ball in the back of the net has been a major issue. Not one player has shined in the final third for the Azzurri, but Gianluca Scamacca is one who will be relied upon to hopefully produce the goods. He’s firing on all cylinders with Atalanta, bagging five goals in nine appearances.

Last time out in October, England ran riot on Italy in a 3-1 victory at Wembley, the same venue as the Euro 2020 final. The visitors looked toothless up top and that cannot happen against North Macedonia. Just three points behind Ukraine for second with a game in hand, the Azzurri could technically still qualify for Germany through the playoffs due to their impressive Nations League showing. But, two wins in these next two games would book their spot in Euro 2024 with no issues. Technically, a defeat against the North Macedonians wouldn’t be the end of the world if Italy takes care of Ukraine next Monday, but the squad will surely be focused on winning both. The hosts are a big -715 moneyline favorite at 888sport.

North Macedonia could play spoiler

Unfortunately, it won’t be another appearance in the Euros for North Macedonia. However, they will surely be looking to break Italy’s hearts for a second time in a year and a half. Aleksandar Trajkovski bagged the winner in Palermo last March to end the Italians' World Cup aspirations before they even started.

The Lions are fourth out of five in Group C, posting a 2-1-3 record. Both victories did come over Malta though, which isn’t exactly anything to write home about. To be perfectly honest, this was always going to be a tough pod for North Macedonia considering England, Ukraine, and Italy are all strong sides.

It won’t be easy for them to even grab another three points before qualifying is over, either. After visiting the Azzurri in Rome, it’s back home for a clash with the Three Lions, one of the best countries in the world. North Macedonia is a clear road underdog on Friday at soccer betting sites, but anything is possible against an opponent they’ve already beaten in dramatic fashion before.