Betting suggestions for Italy vs North Macedonia: World Cup play-off preview and odds

Read why our expert backs Ciro Immobile to score first in his betting suggestions for Thursday’s Italy vs North Macedonia World Cup play-off semi-final

Italy play North Macedonia in a World Cup play-off semi-final in Palermo on Thursday evening with the winners dealing with Portugal or Turkey subsequent week for a spot in the finals in Qatar.

The European champions did not qualify for the 2018 finals and it is going to be a major shock in the occasion that they miss a second successive World Cup.

North Macedonia lost all three video games on the Euros final summer time and although they have since looked stronger, Italy should nonetheless have too much quality for them on Thursday.

Italy vs North Macedonia betting tips

Odds are correct on the time of publication and are topic to alter.

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Immobile can kick-start Italy

Italy will hope to make a quick begin on Thursday night in Palermo, and if they’re to do so they will need ahead Ciro Immobile firing from the front.

He has been in unimaginable type as quickly as once more this season for Lazio with 21 targets in 25 games in Serie A.

He scored simply twice at both the Euros and in Italy’s World Cup qualifiers but the Azzurri are anticipated to dominate possession on Thursday and if they create chances Immobile is the man to rely on.

In four of his earlier six video games for Lazio, Immobile has netted first and in opposition to a North Macedonia side who lately conceded four in opposition to Germany, we expect him to do the same again.

Tip: Ciro Immobile to attain first @

Hosts remain impenetrable

Italy have often relied on their unrivalled capability to defend and the present side aren’t any totally different, with Roberto Mancini making clear sheets a precedence.

During the Euros his facet conceded just 4 targets of their seven matches as they went on to win the competitors, while before the objective conceded to Austria within the round of 16, they’d gone eleven video games in a row without letting in a aim.

Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have been two of one of the best defenders in world soccer for a while, but whether both will function on Thursday is uncertain.

North Macedonia scored just twice at the Euros and in addition failed to attain in four of their previous seven matches. We anticipate to see the identical once more with Italy getting the victory to nil.

Tip: Italy to win to nil @

Booking beckons for Alioski

Ezgjan Alioski is a key player for North Macedonia and he will have to be at the very top of his recreation to keep a number of the best attackers on the planet at bay on Thursday evening.

The former Leeds United man has by no means been a shrinking violet and he picked up seven yellow playing cards within the Premier League last season for the Whites.

He also received two yellow playing cards within the Euros, regardless of North Macedonia taking half in just three matches, and has already picked up six for Al Ahli.

We suspect he’ll be in for a troublesome night with lots of defending to do and anticipate him to mistime a minimal of one problem and find yourself within the book.

Tip: Ezgjan Alioski to be booked @

Italy vs North Macedonia

Italy are 1/6 to win on Thursday with North Macedonia at 16/1 and the draw priced at 57/10.

Odds are right on the time of publication and are subject to vary.