Italy vs North Macedonia Head-to-Head Match Preview and Prediction

After failing to qualify from the group stage games, Italy go head-to-head with North Macedonia in the world Cup play-offs at Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo. 

Italy have yet again made a mockery out of themselves after failing to secure the 2022 FIFA World Cup berth. 

And once again the Azzurri find themselves in the same situation as they let slip the World Cup qualifying spot after a disappointing performance in group games. 

Now they face North Macedonia in the play-offs, to bag a place in the play-off finals for the FIFA World Cup later this year.

In contrast, North Macedonia booked their place after a 3-1 over Iceland and now faces European Champions, Italy. North Macedonia will have to punch above their weight if they want to secure qualification for the next round. 

Italy vs North Macedonia: Head-to-Head Results

Italy vs North Macedonia: Form Guide 

Italy: D-D-W-L-W

North Macedonia: W-W-L-D-W

Italy vs North Macedonia: Trivia 

- Italy and North Macedonia have an equal head-to-head record. They have faced each other twice, with Italy winning one and drawing the other game. 

- Italy and North Macedonia will face each other for the first time since 2017. 

- This is the second time Italy will be playing in the world cup play-offs, last time, they lost to Sweden in the playoffs and were eliminated from the competition.

Italy vs North Macedonia: Predicted XI 

Italy Predicted XI (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessandro Florenzi, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Emerson Palmieri, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella, Marco Verratti, Domenico Berardi, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne

North Macedonia Predicted XI (4-3-3): Stole Dimitrievski, Stefan Ristovski, Darko Velkovski, Kire Ristevski, Ezgjan Alioski, Stefan Spirovski, Elif Elmas, Tihomir Kostadinov, Darko Churlinov, Milan Ristovski, Aleksandar Trajkovski

Italy vs North Macedonia: Head-to-Head Prediction 

Italy will have to win this game to progress to the next round; however, they will be missing Federico Chiesa, who has been a star player for Azzuri. But Italy have enough high-profile players to keep the score in their favour. 

While North Macedonia will have to come out of their comfort zone and show what they got, it will take a beating to see off the European Champions. A win for Italy is on the cards. 

Prediction:

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