Nations League | League C

Nov 17, 2024 at 2pm UK

Tose Proeski Arena

N. Macedoniavs.Faroe Islands

Match preview

The hosts will be feeling pretty good after finishing top of their group for the second time in a row with a 1-0 win over Latvia. Nikola Serafimov scored the only goal of the night, helping his country secure all three points.

The Nations League has helped North Macedonia get back on track after a dip in form before their opening game.

Before the competition, they hadn't won any of their last six international games. In fact, they drew 1-1 with the Faroe Islands two months ago, which made it seven games without a win.

Since then, the team has been on a winning streak, with four straight victories in League C4, both at home and away against Armenia and Latvia. This unbeaten run of five games started with that draw against the Faroe Islands in September.

The driving force behind their resurgence 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 score against Valencia's keeper when Viljormur Davidsen scored from the penalty spot at Torsvollur in the previous match.

The visitors have seen a lot of change since that last meeting. Manager Hakan Ericson was sacked after the international break in October.

The Swede had been in charge of the national team for five years, but he didn't do as well as he could have. They went 12 international matches without winning.

After Atli Gregersen and Eyden Klakstein were put in charge on an interim basis, they already had experience coaching the Faroe Islands' Under-21 team.

The new management team made an immediate impact, with Landslioio recording their first competitive away win in four years with a surprise victory against Armenia.

The home team had the upper hand in terms of possession and created plenty of chances throughout the game. However, another penalty from Davidsen secured the three points, shaking up the standings in League C4.

The win in Yerevan put the visitors in control of their own destiny in the group. 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.

If they don't win, they could end up in third place in the group, with Latvia and Armenia playing against each other in Riga on Sunday afternoon.

Recent Performance

North Macedonia Nations League form:DWWWW

North Macedonia form (all competitions):LDWWWW

Faroe Islands Nations League form:DLDDW

Faroe Islands form (all competitions):LDLDDW

Team News

Even though they're already at the top of the group, the hosts are expected to put out a strong side for this match.

With future World Cup qualification slots up for grabs for the four best Nations League group winners that don't make it through the traditional FIFA qualifiers, this will give North Macedonia another reason to go for the win.

Eljif Elmas picked up a leg injury in the first half against Latvia earlier in the week, so the RB Leipzig midfielder is now expected to be out until at least next month. Lirim Qamili came on as a substitute that night and he could be in line for a start this weekend.

The Elmas injury is another setback for Blagoja Milevski's team, who have already been without experienced centre-back Visar Musliu since he suffered a metatarsal injury in October.

Both Asi Dam and Poul Kallsberg will be looking to make their full international debuts in this match. The two players, who haven't played for the team before, were called up this month but didn't play in the win in Armenia.

On a positive note for the visitors, Odmar Faero was back in action in Yerevan after suffering an injury in the October match against Latvia.

Possible starting lineup

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