Our prediction for this Nations League match:
North Macedonia will look to make amends for a 2-0 loss to Georgia when they face Bulgaria in the last group game. The Macedonians missed out on promotion to League B, meaning that they have little to play for in Monday’s clash. All Todoroski, Trajkovski, Atanasov, and Serafimov should be recalled to the starting XI. The Bulgarians, on the other hand, desperately needed a win against Gibraltar, and they managed to get one in style (5-1).
The visitors have regained a much-needed confidence, and they must be high on confidence ahead of the trip to Skopje. Anyhow, both teams to score betting option should be considered as both sides will be with guards down this time out. A man to keep an eye on in the away side will be Ludogorets forward Kiril Despodov, who is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back-lone.
Highlighted Player (Aleksandar Trajkovski):
Aleksandar Trajkovski is a Macedonian international who played for Cementarnica 55 during his youth career. He made 11 league appearances for the club at senior level as well and in 2010 he moved to Croatian team Inter Zapresic.
The attacking midfielder failed to prove his worth in the 2010/2011 season and, as a result, he was sold to Zulte Waregem in the summer of 2011. He played an important role in the Belgian team from 2011 to 2015 as he scored 11 goals in 83 league appearances for the club. It has to be noted, though, that Trajkovski spend the 2013/2014 season on loan at Mechelen. In 2015 he was named Macedonian Footballer of the Year and the same year he signed a contract with Italian side Palermo.
Speaking of his international career, Aleksandar Trajkovski has 15 caps for Macedonia U21 and he made his debut for the senior team on 10 August, 2011 in a friendly against Azerbaijan.
Highlighted Team (Bulgaria):
Bulgaria national football team are well known for their “Golden generation” of players led by Hristo Stoichkov. The Bulgarian football legend was producing thrilling performances for the national team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in USA and he helped the Lions make it to the semi-finals of the tournament.
The likes of Trifon Ivanov, Krasimir Balakov and Yordan Letchkov enjoyed a very successful tournament as well and, no doubt, they recorded a historical result at the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The Bulgarians defeated Germany in the quarter-finals, but Italy proved to be a big catch for Dimitar Penev’s team. Bulgaria eventually suffered a heavy loss to Sweden in the third-place playoffs. Nowadays, Bulgaria struggle in qualifiers for major tournaments and it has to be noted that they have not participated at the finals since 1994.
Vasil Levski National Stadium is considered Bulgaria’s home ground and the capacity of the stadium is 43.320. Bulgaria wear white shirts, green shorts and white socks when playing at home, whilst green and red are their second colours.