Euro 2020

[monks data]

Euro Champ Qualifying | Playoff Final Route D

Nov 12, 2020 at 5pm UK

Georgia
0 - 1
N. Macedonia

Kashia (75'), Okriashvili (78')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Pandev (56')
Nikolov (62'), Nestorovski (82'), Kostadinov (90+3')

Preview: Georgia vs. North Macedonia - prediction, team news, lineups

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 10 November 2020

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Euro 2020 qualifying playoff between Georgia and North Macedonia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A place at the rescheduled Euro 2020 is on the line when Georgia take on North Macedonia at Dinamo Arena Stadium on Thursday evening.

The sides have played out a couple of UEFA Nations League draws over the last two months but something has to give this week as they bid to reach their first tournament finals.

Match preview

Georgia celebrate scoring against North Macedonia in the UEFA Nations League on September 8, 2020 © Reuters

By virtue of finishing top of Group D in the 2018-19 Nations League, Georgia have been given a glorious chance to reach their first finals as an independent nation.

That is also the case for North Macedonia, who would usually have next to no chance of joining Europe's elite if not for the altered format that has come into play.

Georgia had to overcome Belarus in their playoff semi-final last month, securing a 1-0 win on home soil thanks to Tornike Okriashvili's early penalty.

As for North Macedonia, an own goal from Benjamin Kololli and Darko Velkovski's strike earned them a 2-1 win over Kosovo.

It now comes down to this one final game for both nations, with a spot at Euro 2020 - now likely to take place in one country next summer - on the line.

North Macedonia manager Igor Angelovski pictured in October 2019 © Reuters

Georgia enter the contest unbeaten in five matches, with their two wins during that sequence coming by the same 1-0 scoreline.

North Macedonia's unbeaten streak spans six matches, meanwhile, in a run that includes a couple of draws against Georgia last month.

The sides played out 1-1 stalemates in Tbilisi and Skopje, leaving them locked on six points apiece in Group C2, with Armenia and Estonia also included in that group.

There is still plenty to play for heading into the final set of Group C2 fixtures, then, but all focus for these nations is on Thursday's clash, with history on the line for both.

Georgia form (all competitions): LWDWDD

North Macedonia form (all competitions): WWDWDD

Team News

Ezgjan Alioski warming up for Leeds United on October 3, 2020 © Reuters

Both nations will have doubts over various players due to coronavirus restrictions, as is the case for sides across the world during this final international break of 2020.

Elif Elmas, Ezgjan Alioski and Goran Pandev were all pictured arriving in North Macedonia on Monday in a huge boost for the visitors.

Daniel Bozinovski tested positive for COVID-19 last week and will play no part in this game, though he did not come into contact with any of his teammates.

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi and Ujpest defender Kire Ristevski are considered fitness doubts, with the latter himself recently recovering from coronavirus.

As for Georgia, they have no real left-back options so it will likely be left to Lasha Dvali - a centre-back by trade - to shift across for this huge contest.

In a big blow to the hosts' preparations, Giorgi Chakvetadze has had to pull out through injury.

Georgia possible starting lineup:
Loria; Kakabadze, Kashia, Kvirkvelia, Dvali; Kankava, Kvekveskiri, Qazaishvili, Okriashvili, Khvicha; Kacharava

North Macedonia possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Bejtulai, Velkovski, Musliu; Ristovski, Bardhi, Nikolov, Elmas, Alioski; Pandev, Nestorovski

SM words green background

We say: Georgia 1-0 North Macedonia

North Macedonia are without a clean sheet in five matches, whereas Georgia have kept a couple of shutouts in the same number of games.

That could well prove the difference between the sides on Thursday, with Georgia showing that they have the ability to take the lead and hold on.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.