With only a half-fit star player to call upon, our tipster expects Chris Coleman's men to find life difficult when they travel to a stadium that rarely sees goals at both ends
Gareth Bale’s world-record transfer to Real Madrid has given Friday’s World Cup qualifier between Macedonia and Wales an unexpected level of intrigue, as neutrals tune in hoping to see the world’s most expensive player in action.With neither side harbouring any realistic hopes of progression, pride is the main order of the day and the hosts are favourites at 5/4 (2.25) with Coral to pick up a morale-boosting win for just the second time in seven Group A games.The Dragons will be unlikely to be able to rely on Bale’s services for the full 90 minutes in Skopje and are outsiders at11/5 (3.20) to come out on top with the scorer of five of their last eight goals not fully fit.
The visitors are yet to record a single draw on the road to Brazil, but you can get odds of 9/4 (3.25) on the sides cancelling each other out in this game.
While the spotlight may be focused on Wales and their star attraction, Macedonia are determined to record a victory that would propel them above their guests and off the bottom of the table and can take a great deal of confidence from their intimidating home record.The Eastern European side have won six and lost just two of their last 10 matches in front of their own fans, where their rigorous defensive performances ensure little is given away cheaply.
When Cedomir Janevski’s men score first they usually win, but tend to struggle when they fall behind, as evidenced by the fact that both sides have scored in just three of the last 13 games at the Filip II Arena.
With Bale unable to play the full 90 minutes, the visitors will find it difficult going in attack, meaning odds of7/10 (1.70) offer excellent value on at least one side failing to find the back of the net, in a bet that would have paid out in each of the hosts’ last six fixtures.