FYR Macedonia v Scotland: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

FYR Macedonia – Scotland preview

Scotland travel to Skopje on Saturday night looking for their first UEFA Nations League win with Sebastien Pocognoli when they take charge North Macedonia.

The Scots have picked up a point from their opening two League B Group 1 games, while North Macedonia are bottom of the group after back-to-back defeats.

Scotland’s first home game under Pocognoli proved to be a difficult night as Switzerland cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win at Hampden Park.

Another failure to win would make Pocognoli only the fourth Scotland manager to go winless in his first three games in charge.

History is also on their side against North Macedonia. Scotland are unbeaten in the last three meetings between the nations since suffering a 1-0 defeat in Skopje in September 2008.

Meanwhile, North Macedonia have endured an even more difficult start to their Nations League campaign.

Goce Sedloski’s side were beaten 3-0 at home by Switzerland before suffering a 2-0 defeat against Slovenia on Tuesday.

Sedloski is still looking for his first win since taking over, with North Macedonia failing to score in any of his five games in charge.

UEFA Nations League table

Macedonian ARY team news vs Scotland

Scotland will be forced to make at least one change after Hendry was sent off against Switzerland.

The defender is suspended for the trip to Skopje, which could open the door for Luis Binks to join Scott McKenna and Stephen Welsh in the back three.

Scott McTominay remains unavailable, meaning Billy Gilmour could continue alongside Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson in midfield.

Andy Robertson will make his 100th appearance for Scotland and will captain the team from left flank. That would move him within two appearances of Kenny Dalglish’s national record of 102.

North Macedonia captain Enis Bardhi should make his 84th appearance for his country and remains one of the hosts’ main attacking threats, with 20 international goals.

Boban Nikolov and Ezgjan Alioski have withdrawn from the squad, with Alioski picking up a calf injury during the opening game against Switzerland.

Expected line-ups for the Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – Scotland

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski; Ilievski, Zajkov, Musliu, Alomerovic; Atanasov, Gashtarov; Mitrovski, Bardhi, Elmas; Miovski.

Scotland: Gunn; Binks, McKenna, Welsh; Hickey, Gilmour, Ferguson, McGinn, Robertson; Bowie, McBurnie.

FYROM v Scotland recent form and stats

• Scotland have taken a point from their opening two Nations League games.
• Scotland have failed to score in four consecutive games in all competitions.
• North Macedonia have lost both Nations League matches without scoring.
• North Macedonia have now gone six consecutive games without finding the back of the net.
• Scotland have lost just one of their last seven away games in all competitions.
• Scotland have kept five clean sheets in these seven away games.
• Scotland are unbeaten in their last three meetings with North Macedonia.
• North Macedonia have not suffered back-to-back defeats at home since 2019.

Where to watch ARY Macedonia vs Scotland: TV and online broadcasts

North Macedonia v Scotland kicks off at 19:45 BST on Saturday 3rd October. The match will be shown live in the UK on BBC Two and BBC Scotland, with coverage starting at 7.30pm. Supporters can also watch the game online via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Prediction for FYR Macedonia – Scotland

Goals have been a major problem for both sides, with Scotland and North Macedonia arriving on the back of long goal droughts.

This could make for a tight game in Skopje, especially with both teams already under pressure to get points.

Scotland’s recent away record gives them cause for optimism, however, and Pocognoli’s side should have enough quality to finally find a breakthrough and claim their first win of the campaign.

FIRE Macedonia

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