England v North Macedonia Tips: Dominant Three Lions can dictate matters from the start

England will look to make it four wins from four games when they host North Macedonia in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Monday - and they have a very good chance of achieving it. 

Gareth Southgate’s side breezed past Malta last week, and their 4-0 win kept them at the summit of the Group C standings. Another triumph here would move England one step closer to securing their place at next summer’s tournament in Germany, and it is hard to see them coming unstuck against the North Macedonians. 

The fact that England proved far too strong for Malta was no surprise given their opponents’ identity as one of Europe’s minnows, but there were still plenty of positives for Southgate to take from his side’s performance away from the scoreline.

The most obvious was the successful deployment of Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield berth. The Liverpool star has struggled for international starts down the years, but moving him into the centre of the park could be a long-term option. Although stiffer tests lie ahead, there is plenty of excitement about what Alexander-Arnold can bring to the side in midfield. 

It’s unsurprising that the mood around the national team is much brighter than it was 12 months ago. In June 2022, England lost 4-0 at home to Hungary and there was serious debate about whether Southgate had taken the side as far as he could. Now the Three Lions are looking ahead to Euro 2024 with confidence as they seek to win their first major trophy since 1966.

Defensive woes for North Macedonia 

North Macedonia qualified for the last European Championship, but they will find it difficult to repeat the feat this time around. 

Being drawn in the same group as England and Italy meant qualification was always going to be a longshot, and a 3-2 home defeat by Ukraine on Friday was particularly damaging. Confidence in the camp is likely to be fragile, not least because North Macedonia squandered a 2-0 lead in that game in Skopje.

Keeping England’s attack quiet will be tough. Southgate has an abundance of options at his disposal with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford all pushing for a start after the England manager opted for a front three of Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane and James Maddison in Malta. 

North Macedonia did not even manage to keep a clean sheet against Malta on matchday one, so their chances of locking down England’s frontline are slim. 

Southgate’s team have made a habit of starting quickly in their Group C games to date, scoring seven goals in three first halves. Playing on home soil at Old Trafford should encourage them to come flying out of the traps here too.

This should be a pretty comfortable evening for the Three Lions, and the odds available about England winning both halves look attractive compared to other potential wagers. 

England v North Macedonia Tips

England to win both halves @ 1.96