Scotland vs North Macedonia: Where to watch, preview, lineups and odds

Ryan Murray

After losing to Slovenia last time out, Scotland will be desperate to reignite their stuttering Nations League campaign when they host struggling North Macedonia on Friday night.

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Sébastien Pocognoli has endured an underwhelming start to his tenure, picking up just four points from his first four games in charge.

The Scots toiled to a goalless draw in Ljubljana on the opening matchday of this season’s Nations League, before Jack Hendry’s early red card put the writing on the wall against Switzerland. A convincing away victory over Friday’s opponents provided a much-needed boost, but last month’s disappointing defeat at Hampden has all but ended the Tartan Army’s hopes of making an immediate return to the competition’s elite bracket.

With Switzerland still maintaining a 100 per cent record and Slovenia now three points ahead in second, it looks increasingly like Scotland will also spend next season in League B.

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Meanwhile, North Macedonia are on the brink of demotion back down to the third tier following a nightmare run of results.

Goce Sedloski’s men have failed to secure any points so far, losing all four of their fixtures without scoring a single goal. Having been comfortably beaten by all three of their Group B1 rivals, few would expect them to take anything from this week’s trip to Hampden or Monday’s meeting with Slovenia in Skopje.

The BBC is providing exclusive live coverage of Scotland’s penultimate Nations League contest across its television and online platforms, with the build-up commencing 15 minutes ahead of a 19:45 GMT kick-off.

Scotland vs North Macedonia: Key information

Date: Friday, October 13th

Kick-off time: 19:45 GMT

Venue: Hampden Park

Referee: Michal Očenáš (Assistant Referees: Adam Jekkel and Tobiáš Pacák, Fourth Official: Boris Marhefka)

VAR: Alan Kijas (Assistant VAR: Harald Lechner)

TV Channels/Live stream: BBC Scotland, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport website

Odds: Scotland: 2/11, Draw: 6/1, North Macedonia: 12/1

Odds provided by bet365

Scotland team news

Although he’s made several adjustments to his squad, it seems as if Sébastien Pocognoli will utilise the same core group of players we saw during the season’s first international break.

Space has also been created for several previously absent stars, including highly influential midfielder Scott McTominay. The Napoli ace was recovering from a minor heart procedure throughout most of September, but quickly recaptured his scintillating form during the subsequent weeks.

Ché Adams has shaken off the groin strain that kept him out last time, while Celtic defender Kieran Tierney is now back to full fitness. There’s also a first call-up for 27-year-old full-back James Penrice, who has contributed significantly to Rangers’ recent rejuvenation.

Consequently, Lennon Miller, Colby Donovan, Josh Doig, and James Wilson all drop out.

Findlay Curtis was originally drafted into the senior squad for the first set of Nations League fixtures, but ended up spending most of his time with the Under-21s. After being introduced from the bench against Slovenia, the young winger will be hoping to get some further minutes under his belt in the coming days.

Several are unavailable through injury, but Pocognoli has some ready-made replacements lined up.

Scott McKenna is currently nursing a back problem, causing him to miss Dinamo Zagreb’s four most recent outings, including last week’s triumph over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Having suffered ligament damage during the early stages of Swansea’s recent 3-1 triumph over Portsmouth, Stephen Welsh had no choice but to withdraw from international duty.

Those developments led to the late inclusion of Ryan Porteous, who will be fighting with Jack Hendry, Luis Binks, Luke Graham, and Kieran Tierney for a place in the back three.

Despite managing a couple of substitute appearances in the Championship over the past month, Kenny McLean wants to give his injured ankle a further rest. Given the quality Pocognoli has at his disposal in midfield, the Norwich City skipper’s absence isn’t a major blow.

If he features in both of Scotland’s matches during this international break, Andy Robertson will overtake Sir Kenny Dalglish as his country’s all-time record appearance maker.

Scotland predicted lineup vs North Macedonia (3-4-1-2)

Coach: Sébastien Pocognoli

Angus Gunn (GK); Jack Hendry, Luis Binks, Kieran Tierney; John McGinn, Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Andy Robertson; Scott McTominay; Oli McBurnie, Ché Adams

North Macedonia team news

Given his team’s difficulties throughout the last round of fixtures, Goce Sedloski constantly tinkered with tactics and personnel. It’s therefore difficult to know who will be included in his starting XI on Friday evening.

However, one player definitely set to miss out is Bojan Miovski. Previously his country’s leading attacking light, the imposing frontman has struggled to find the net over the past few seasons while navigating spells with Girona and current side Rangers. Despite the tie being held in Glasgow, Miovski has been left out of Sedloski’s squad altogether.

That leaves plenty of responsibilities on the shoulders of lone striker Elmin Rastoder, who hopes to become North Macedonia’s first-ever goalscorer in Nations League B.

Although he’s flitted between a back three and a back four, the 52-year-old tactician has understandably stuck with the same goalkeeper. The experience of Stole Dimitrievski continues to prove invaluable, as Valencia’s first-choice stopper prepares to earn his 95th international cap.

There’s also been considerable change in midfield and attacking areas, with several players coming in and out of the side. Even captain Enis Bardhi was dropped in the aftermath of that sobering home defeat to Switzerland, but was promptly recalled to the starting line-up following September's clash with Slovenia.

North Macedonia predicted lineup vs Scotland (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Goce Sedloski

Stole Dimitrievski (GK); Andrej Stojchevski, Mario Mladenovski, Visar Musliu, Ezgjan Alioski; Matej Gashtarov, Agon Elezi; Dimitar Mitrovski, Enis Bardhi, Eljif Elmas; Elmin Rastoder

Where to watch on TV or live stream?

From March last year until the eve of this summer’s World Cup, the BBC enjoyed exclusive broadcasting rights for every Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland match.

This agreement has since been extended for a further two years, enabling the non-travelling Tartan Army to watch their team on free-to-air television between now and the next European Championships, which Scotland will co-host in 2028.

Friday night’s clash with North Macedonia will be screened on BBC Scotland and BBC Two (UK-wide), while online viewers can follow events at Hampden via BBC iPlayer or the BBC Sport website.

Head-to-head record

Last month’s meeting in Skopje was the fifth between these two countries, who were drawn into the same group for both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup qualifying campaigns.

Scotland boast the superior head-to-head record in this fixture, having just recorded their third victory over North Macedonia (formerly FYR Macedonia). That win came courtesy of two well-taken goals, but also delivered some late drama.

Kieron Bowie netted his first international goal to put the visitors ahead early on, lashing powerfully beyond a helpless Stole Dimitrievski. Although a VAR intervention denied Scotland a penalty during the opening stages of the second half, John McGinn was soon given an opportunity from the spot after Bojan Miovski stopped Bowie’s goal-bound effort with his hand. The Aston Villa maestro made no mistake, converting into the bottom corner to double his team’s advantage.

Late on, a desperate lunge from Scott McKenna on substitute Agon Elezi prompted referee Francois Letexier to brandish a red card, with the French referee determining that the foul had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The ten men comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to claim a crucial three points, before boos reverberated around the Toše Proeski Arena in response to another abject performance from the hosts.