North Macedonia v Ukraine Betting Tips [16 June 2023]

North Macedonia will look to build on their promising start to the Euro 2024 qualifiers when they play host to Ukraine on Friday. The hosts managed a 2-1 win over Malta in their opening group match. That win puts them third in Group C, level on three points with Italy in second and three behind group leaders England. They have, however, played a game less than both the sides above them. North Macedonia finished third in their group in the UEFA Nations League last year behind Bulgaria and Georgia. Since then, they have played five matches, including a non-Fifa Friendly against Saudi Arabia. Their record over those five matches was two wins, one draw, and two losses. Those two wins, though, came in their last two matches, both at home. They will fancy their chances of going three-in-a-row here. 

Ukraine, meanwhile, comes into this match off the back of an all-action 3-3 draw against Germany in a friendly over the weekend. They were beaten by England 2-0 in their opening qualifier match back in March, leaving them fourth in the group. England leads the group with six points, followed by Italy in second with three. Both those sides have played two matches, while Ukraine have only played one. Over their last eight internationals, Ukraine have won three, drawn three, and lost two. They also finished second in their group in the UEFA Nations League, just two points behind group winners Scotland. They would have earmarked this as one of the matches in the group that they would expect to win.

While Ukraine are heavily fancied to win this one, the hosts are unbeaten in their last two home matches and are capable of causing an upset, as they showed in the Nations League last year. This feels like a match where if an early goal is scored, it could open the floodgates for several more. Therefore, our North Macedonia vs Ukraine prediction: Over 2.5 goals.