Overview
The home team won 6-0 against Kazakhstan on September 7 and has scored a total of 17 goals in 4 matches in the qualifiers.
That victory was also the second consecutive 6-0 victory of the team led by coach Rudi Garcia. However, they have previously conceded 2 or more goals in 5 of their last 9 matches.
Belgium should be wary of the threat from the third-placed team, Wales, which also has 10 points. A defeat to North Macedonia could give the opponents in the group more motivation, especially when Belgium will face Wales on October 13.
Not being able to qualify for the World Cup will be a disaster for Belgium, especially since they have reached the group stage 8 in the last 9 World Cups.
Belgium's form has recently improved significantly. They are unbeaten in 5 consecutive matches, winning 4 and drawing 1 - a record completely opposite to the previous 6 matches, where they lost 5 and only drew 1.
Notably, Belgium have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 home matches. However, before this impressive streak, they had suffered two consecutive defeats at planet Group Arena.
North Macedonia beat Liechtenstein 5-0 on September 7, completely controlling the game with an opponent of just 0.09 xG and launching the only shot on target. At the same time, they did not have to face any shots in the first half.
This World Cup qualifiers are an opportunity for "Lavovi" to seek a ticket to the most prestigious tournament on the planet - something they have not done since becoming an independent country in 1991. North Macedonia's best achievement so far has been their participation in EURO 2020.
The visitors have faced Belgium five times but have yet to win. Despite losing three of those encounters, they held their opponents to a 1-1 draw last June.
Under the leadership of coach Blagoja Milevski, the North Macedonia has achieved quite stable performance with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 matches. They have won 6 consecutive matches before that.
Notably, the North Macedonia have won all 4 of their most recent away matches, although they recently lost 1-2 in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia on September 4 - the most recent match away.
Personnel situation
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is likely to continue to play the role of goalkeeper for the Belgian national team, while Zeno Debast and Arthur Theate are expected to start in the center-back position.
Youri Tielemans is out due to injury. His absence could open up opportunities for Amadou Onana and Nicolas Raskin to join the starting lineup.
Kevin De Bruyne will take on the central role in midfield, playing behind two wingers, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard.
On the North Macedonia side, central defenders Gjoko Zajkov and Andrej Stojchevski are likely to be given a chance to start, while goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski continues to be the first choice in goal.
Up front, Bojan Miovski and Aleksandar Trajkovski hope to receive support from midfielders Enis Bardhi and Isnik Alimi to make a difference in the final third.
Expected lineup:
Belgium: Courtois, Castagne, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper, Onana, Raskin, Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, De Ketelaere.
Northern province: Dimitrievski, Ilievski, Zajkov, Stojchevski, Alioski, Churlinov, Bardhi, Alimi, Elmas, Miovski, Trajkovski.
The match between Belgium and Northern Macedonia takes place at 1:45 am on October 11 (Vietnam time).
