North Macedonia Our Surprise Pick vs Italy in Euro 2024 Qualifier

With Italy struggling to secure a spot at Euro 2024, coach Luciano Spalletti is crying out for a goalscoring savior to stand up and deliver in the final two qualifiers.

Despite Italy’s status as incumbent Euro champions, defeating England on their own patch in 2021, the team sits precariously in third place in Group C.

Only the top two from each group qualify for next year’s competition in Germany, and Spalletti requires a minimum of four more points, at least one win and a draw, to secure second position.

Spalletti has handed first call-ups to two players: Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso and Monza midfielder Andrea Colpani. Sandro Tonali is unavailable for the first time since confirmation of his eight-month ban. He is replaced by Colpani and Arsenal’s Jorginho. Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has been omitted.

Probably the best he could pick given the lack of options. The final match of the group should be an epic one, but before that, they should beat North Macedonia.

Allenamento del mattino ✅#Nazionale 🇮🇹 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/2a1lcvg4WE

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) November 14, 2023

North Macedonia Overpriced

The Macedonians failed to impress in a 2-0 loss to Ukraine in October, and given the importance of Friday’s clash for Luciano Spalletti’s troops, we predict that the visitors will return home empty-handed. However, the value is still on them.

A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be former Leeds United full-back Egzjan Alioski, who has netted 12 goals in 67 appearances for the North Macedonia national team. If you love Euro Cup player props, you should back him on Friday.

Despite having almost no chance of booking their Euro 2024 tickets, North Macedonia is always the underdog you want to be with, and we expect them to cover the Euro Cup Qualifiers spread on Friday.

North Macedonia Has Upper Hand

The visitors have only lost one of their four meetings with Italy, their first encounter in 2016. They have drawn two and won one since then, including a 1-0 victory in Italy just last year.

Italy has only won four of their last nine matches. Apart from the two games against Malta, Italy’s previous 2+ goal-winning margin came 14 months ago in the 2-0 Nations League victory against Hungary.

Italy vs North Macedonia Match Information

• Match: Italy (3-1-2) vs North Macedonia (2-1-3)
• Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
• Day/Time: Friday, Nov. 17, 2:45 p.m. ET
• Italy vs North Macedonia Live Stream: Fubo.tv

Italy vs North Macedonia Betting Lines

Italy vs North Macedonia Betting Picks for Nov. 17

The hosts enter this clash as heavy favorites, priced at -714 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest soccer odds, while the goal line is set at 2½.

Italy is assured of at least a Euro play-off spot but is three points behind Ukraine in the automatic qualifying spots with a game in hand. North Macedonia’s excellent record against Italy makes them worth a small punt, and we expect them to cover the spread on the road.

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