Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
North Macedonia
Match Time & Date:
08/09/2021
20:45
Prediction: 1-1
Romania
National Arena Toshe Proeski will host Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier between North Macedonia and Romania, the two teams who are vying for second position in Group J. North Macedonia dropped a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 draw with Iceland, but they are surely capable of matching Romania in Skopje. Goran Pandev is no longer part of the Macedonian national team, and, in his absence, a man to keep an eye on in the home team will be former Leeds United wing back Ezgjan Alioski, who found the net in the last group game.
The Tricolori, on the other hand, recorded an expected 2-0 win over rock-bottom Liechtenstein. Since both sides are likely to go for a win in the National Arena Toshe Proeski clash, both teams to score betting option should be considered. North Macedonia defenders should have Rangers winger Ianis Hagi at bay as the 22-year-old is likely to keep his place in the starting XI.
Highlighted Player (Darko Velkovski):
Born in Skopje, Macedonia on June 22, 1995 Darko Velkovski is a professional footballer who plays for Vardar as a centre-back. Darko Velkovski started his career at the youth team of Makedonija Gjorche Petrov and in 2011 he moved to Rabotnicki.
The 188-cm tall defender scored 11 goals in 109 appearances for the Romantics before joining fellow Macedonian side Vardar in 2015. Darko Velkovski has established himself as a first-team regular at the capital club and he made 28 appearances for the Crveno-Crni in the 2016/2017 Macedonian Prva Liga campaign. Velkovski, whose contract with Vardar expires on June 30, 2018, started for the Macedonian champions in a historical 2-1 win at Fenerbahce in the 2017/2018 Europa League play-offs, return leg.
Darko Velkovski made his Macedonia debut on June 18, 2014 in a 2-0 loss to China in a friendly. His main position is centre-back, but he is capable of playing as both defensive and central midfielder as well.
Highlighted Team (Romania):
Romania were one of just four European sides to take part at the first ever World Cup in 1930, and the team have since achieved respectable results on the international stage, albeit failing to challenge for major trophies.
Led by arguably their best ever footballer Gheorghe Hagi, the Tricolorii narrowly missed out on the semi-finals at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, losing to Sweden on penalties. Romania made a total of seven appearances at the World Cup finals, while qualifying for five European Championship tournaments. The Tricolorii went the farthest in 2000, when they were eliminated by Italy in the quarter-finals.
Tied at the top of the goalscoring charts, Gheorghe Hagi and Adrian Mutu are the only two Romanian footballers to have gained worldwide recognition, but Dorinel Munteanu, Dan Petrescu, Gheorghe Popescu and Viorel Moldovan are also worth mention. Romania play their home games at the Arena National in Bucarest.
Man City 
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Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
