North Macedonia host the Faroe Islands in a UEFA Nations League encounter at Tose Proeski Arena this weekend, having already secured promotion to League B for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, the visitors have it all to play for, with qualification for the promotion playoffs now in their sight.
Match preview
© Imago
The hosts will be in good spirits after sealing top spot in the group last time out with a 1-0 win over Latvia. Nikola Serafimov scored the only goal of the night to secure all three points for his country.
The Nations League has helped North Macedonia rediscover the winning formula, having suffered a dip in form before their opening game.
Heading into the competition, they were winless in six international fixtures - a run which extended to seven when they drew 1-1 with the Faroe Islands two months ago.
Since then, the results have picked up, with four straight wins in League C4, coming both home and away to Armenia and Latvia, which means that the hosts are currently unbeaten in five games - a run which started with that draw against the Faroe Islands in September.
At the heart of their revival is goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, who has kept four consecutive clean sheets for the national side and not conceded in 441 minutes of play - a new national team record.
However, the visitors were the last team to find a way past the Valencia keeper, when Viljormur Davidsen scored from the penalty spot at Torsvollur in the reverse fixture.
There has been plenty of change for the visitors since that last meeting, as manager Hakan Ericson was sacked following the international break in October.
The Swede had spent five years in charge of the national team, but he oversaw a poor run of form, in which they went 12 international fixtures without winning.
Following his dismissal, Atli Gregersen and Eyden Klakstein were put in charge on an interim basis, having already gained experience coaching the Faroe Islands' Under-21 team.
The duo made an immediate impact, as Landslioio recorded their first competitive away win in four years with a surprise victory against Armenia.
Although the hosts dominated possession and created many chances throughout the game, another penalty from Davidsen secured the three points to shake up the standings in League C4.
The win in Yerevan put the visitors in control of their own fate in the group, and they picked the perfect time to get the three points, having only won two international fixtures out of their last 21; another victory here would ensure that they will play in a two-legged playoff with a third-placed team from League B next year.
Anything less could potentially see them fall to third in the group, with Latvia and Armenia playing against each other in Riga on Sunday afternoon.
Team News
© Imago
Despite already topping the group, the hosts are expected to field a strong side for this fixture.
With future World Cup qualification slots available for the four best Nations League group winners that fail to qualify via the traditional FIFA qualifiers, this will provide an added incentive for North Macedonia to secure another win.
Eljif Elmas suffered a leg injury in the first half against Latvia earlier in the week and the RB Leipzig midfielder is now expected to be out until at least next month. Lirim Qamili replaced him on the night and could be in line for a start this weekend.
The Elmas injury is a fresh blow to Blagoja Milevski's team, who have already been without experienced centre-back Visar Musliu after he suffered a metatarsal injury in October.
Asi Dam and Poul Kallsberg will both be looking to make their full international debuts in this match. The uncapped pair received their first call-ups this month but were unused substitutes for the win in Armenia.
In other positive news for the visitors, they were boosted by the return of Odmar Faero in Yerevan, after he suffered an injury against Latvia in their clash in October.
North Macedonia possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Alioski, Zajkov, Serafimov, Dimoski; Bardhi, Alimi, Qamili; Churlinov, Miovski, Trajkovski
Faroe Islands possible starting lineup:
Gestsson; Davidsen, Edmundsson, G Vatnahamar, Faero, Danielsen; Justinussen, Hendriksson, Joensen, Bjartarlid; Klettskard
We say: North Macedonia 1-0 Faroe Islands
North Macedonia have taken control of this group and they are unbeaten in their last six fixtures on home soil. The Faroes have put themselves in a good position to reach the playoffs, but historically they have struggled away from home.
Therefore, we are going with a narrow 1-0 win for the hosts, which could hinder the Faroe Islands' promotion hopes if results elsewhere go against them.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
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