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Saturday, November 14
Nov 12, 2020 at 5pm UK
GeorgiaGeorgia
0-1
N. MacedoniaNorth Macedonia

Kashia (75'), Okriashvili (78')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Pandev (56')
Nikolov (62'), Nestorovski (82'), Kostadinov (90+3')
/esi/1339/6_G_1_114570/index.html?art_id=421781&game_id=114570&sport_id=1&ESI

Preview: Georgia vs. North Macedonia - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Georgia vs. North Macedonia - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:421781: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Euro 2020 qualifying playoff between Georgia and North Macedonia, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

A place at the rescheduled Euro 2020 is on the line when Georgia take on North Macedonia at Dinamo Arena Stadium on Thursday evening.

The sides have played out a couple of UEFA Nations League draws over the last two months but something has to give this week as they bid to reach their first tournament finals.


Match preview

By virtue of finishing top of Group D in the 2018-19 Nations League, Georgia have been given a glorious chance to reach their first finals as an independent nation.

That is also the case for North Macedonia, who would usually have next to no chance of joining Europe's elite if not for the altered format that has come into play.

Georgia had to overcome Belarus in their playoff semi-final last month, securing a 1-0 win on home soil thanks to Tornike Okriashvili's early penalty.

As for North Macedonia, an own goal from Benjamin Kololli and Darko Velkovski's strike earned them a 2-1 win over Kosovo.

It now comes down to this one final game for both nations, with a spot at Euro 2020 - now likely to take place in one country next summer - on the line.

Georgia enter the contest unbeaten in five matches, with their two wins during that sequence coming by the same 1-0 scoreline.

North Macedonia's unbeaten streak spans six matches, meanwhile, in a run that includes a couple of draws against Georgia last month.

The sides played out 1-1 stalemates in Tbilisi and Skopje, leaving them locked on six points apiece in Group C2, with Armenia and Estonia also included in that group.

There is still plenty to play for heading into the final set of Group C2 fixtures, then, but all focus for these nations is on Thursday's clash, with history on the line for both.

Georgia form (all competitions): LWDWDD

North Macedonia form (all competitions): WWDWDD


Team News

Both nations will have doubts over various players due to coronavirus restrictions, as is the case for sides across the world during this final international break of 2020.

Elif Elmas, Ezgjan Alioski and Goran Pandev were all pictured arriving in North Macedonia on Monday in a huge boost for the visitors.

Daniel Bozinovski tested positive for COVID-19 last week and will play no part in this game, though he did not come into contact with any of his teammates.

Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Arijan Ademi and Ujpest defender Kire Ristevski are considered fitness doubts, with the latter himself recently recovering from coronavirus.

As for Georgia, they have no real left-back options so it will likely be left to Lasha Dvali - a centre-back by trade - to shift across for this huge contest.

In a big blow to the hosts' preparations, Giorgi Chakvetadze has had to pull out through injury.

Georgia possible starting lineup:
Loria; Kakabadze, Kashia, Kvirkvelia, Dvali; Kankava, Kvekveskiri, Qazaishvili, Okriashvili, Khvicha; Kacharava

North Macedonia possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Bejtulai, Velkovski, Musliu; Ristovski, Bardhi, Nikolov, Elmas, Alioski; Pandev, Nestorovski


We say: Georgia 1-0 North Macedonia

North Macedonia are without a clean sheet in five matches, whereas Georgia have kept a couple of shutouts in the same number of games.

That could well prove the difference between the sides on Thursday, with Georgia showing that they have the ability to take the lead and hold on.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester8602189918
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs85211991017
3Liverpool85211816217
4Southampton85121612416
5Chelsea843120101015
6Aston Villa7502189915
7Everton84131614213
8Crystal Palace84131212013
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves841389-113
10Manchester CityMan City7331109112
11Arsenal8404910-112
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham83231410411
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle83231013-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd73131214-210
15Leeds UnitedLeeds83141417-310
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton81341114-36
17Fulham8116715-84
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom8035617-113
19Burnley7025312-92
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd8017414-101
Scroll for more - Tap for full version
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