On Thursday night, Israel hosts North Macedonia in Group G of qualifying for Euro 2020, with the home side looking to continue the solid start to their qualification campaign.
Israel have taken seven points from their opening four matches against Slovenia, Austria, Latvia and last time out Poland. The home side were unbeaten in their first three qualifiers until a 4-0 hammering against group leaders and favourites Poland. Israel are now five points behind the group leaders.
Despite their relative positive start to their qualification, Israel have won just three of their last 11 European Championship qualifiers.
The home side has a mixed recent record on home soil in European Championship qualification. In fact, Israel have won just two of their last six qualifiers on home soil. Their recent European Championships qualifiers have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in three of their last four outings.
Israel national squad for the Euro 2020 qualifications games against @ffmmkd and @nzs_si pic.twitter.com/Qiagb1nnhZ— ISRAEL FA (@ISRAELFA) August 29, 2019
Israel national squad for the Euro 2020 qualifications games against @ffmmkd and @nzs_si pic.twitter.com/Qiagb1nnhZ
North Macedonia have made a mixed start to their qualifying campaign, picking up four points from their four qualifiers so far. The visitors kicked off their qualification with a 3-1 home win over Latvia, before a draw against Slovenia. However, they have now suffered two straight defeats against Poland and last time out Austria.
Up until the current qualification campaign, North Macedonia had a poor recent record in qualifying, as they have lost nine of their last 12 qualifiers. Their recent record in qualifying will give the visitors encouragement that they are moving in the right direction.
North Macedonia have drawn their last two qualifiers, but have failed to win in nine games, suffering seven straight away defeats prior to their recent draws. Their recent away qualifiers have been tight and low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five matches.
Forebet predicts that Israel will continue their promising qualification campaign by picking up a victory in a high-scoring clash.