North Macedonia vs Kazakhstan prediction: EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-10-12 18:45.
[p]North Macedonia surprisingly sit in top spot in Group J of World Cup qualifying (WCQ), a position they will be looking to strengthen as Kazakhstan visit the Toše Proeski Arena.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]North Macedonia defied expectations as they drew 0-0 in Belgium on Friday, boosting their hopes of reaching a first World Cup. That result keeps the Lions unbeaten in Group J (W3, D3), but with only a one-point advantage over second spot and having played a game more, things are far from decided yet in this group. That will be the warning from head coach Blagoja Milevski as they seek to extend a run of eight without a competitive defeat on home soil (W4, D4) that stretches back to June 2023, while also attempting to build on a formidable defensive record that has seen them concede just two goals in WCQ so far, a record bettered by only two countries in five-team groups.[/p]
[p]Opponents Kazakhstan also kept a clean sheet on Friday when they hammered Liechtenstein 4-0. That was just about enough to keep their hopes of reaching a first major tournament alive, although it will take a miracle for that to happen thanks to losing four of their first five qualifiers (W1). In fact, the Hawks have won just three of their last 19 internationals (D1, L15), and even more concerningly, seven of their last eight competitive away fixtures have also ended in defeat (W1). Caretaker head coach Talgat Baysufinov, back for a third spell at the helm, therefore has it all to do as his side go in search of back-to-back wins for the first time since November 2023.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]There have only been two previous meetings between these nations, and North Macedonia have won them both, most recently a 1-0 away victory in June.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Just two of North Macedonia’s last 11 competitive internationals have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p]North Macedonia have conceded the first goal in just one of their last 12 matches.[/p]
[p]None of Kazakhstan’s last five competitive internationals have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p]Kazakhstan have conceded a first-half goal in six of their last eight competitive matches.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski has kept four clean sheets in WCQ, making 16 saves in the process. Galymzhan Kenzhebek could hold the attacking key for Kazakhstan, and his brace on Friday added to the seven goal involvements he has registered in his last seven league appearances for club side Yelimay.[/p]
[p]Neither team appear to have any fresh injury concerns.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]The hosts are in good form, so North Macedonia to win to nil seems a shrewd pick.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Matt Jones[/i][/p]