North Macedonia vs. Kazakhstan Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips

Posted on October 10, 2025 by author in Football

On October 13, 2025, North Macedonia hosts Kazakhstan at Toše Proeski Arena in Skopje for a crucial UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifier in Group J. Kickoff is at 18:45 UTC. This match could solidify North Macedonia’s top spot while Kazakhstan fights to climb from near the bottom. With home advantage and superior form, North Macedonia appears poised for victory, but qualifiers often bring surprises.

Quick Prediction

We predict a 2-0 win for North Macedonia. Their defensive record (conceding just 0.4 goals per game) and attacking options should overwhelm Kazakhstan, who average only 0.6 goals scored.

Odds Snapshot

North Macedonia win: Around 1.32–1.44
Draw: 4.59–4.80
Kazakhstan win: 8.70–9.70 These come from bookmakers like 1xBet and others, showing heavy favoritism for the hosts.

Top Betting Tips

North Macedonia to win: At 1.36, this offers decent value given their unbeaten streak.
Under 2.5 goals: Odds around 1.72–1.83, as recent games for both teams trend low-scoring.
Both teams to score – No: At 1.53, considering North Macedonia’s clean sheets and Kazakhstan’s droughts.

As the UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers heat up, all eyes turn to Skopje where North Macedonia welcomes Kazakhstan in a Group J clash on October 13, 2025. This matchup pits the group leaders against a struggling side desperate for points, offering intrigue for fans and bettors alike. North Macedonia, riding high on an unbeaten run, look to consolidate their position at the top, while Kazakhstan aims to pull off a shock to revive their slim qualification hopes. In this comprehensive preview, we’ll dive deep into team forms, historical context, key players, statistical breakdowns, predictions, odds, and expert betting tips to give you everything you need for this exciting fixture.

The Stakes in Group J

Group J of the UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers features five teams: Belgium, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, and Wales. As of October 10, 2025, the standings reflect North Macedonia’s dominance:

Position	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Difference	Points
1	North Macedonia	5	3	2	0	11	2	+9	11
2	Belgium	4	3	1	0	17	4	+13	10
3	Wales	5	3	1	1	–	–	+5	10
4	Kazakhstan	5	1	0	4	3	11	-8	3
5	Liechtenstein	5	0	0	5	–	–	-19	0

North Macedonia’s impressive start includes a 1-1 draw against powerhouse Belgium and a convincing 5-0 thrashing of Liechtenstein, showcasing their balanced approach. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, has only managed a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein amid heavy defeats, including a 0-6 loss that led to their coach’s resignation. A win for North Macedonia could create breathing room at the top, especially with Belgium lurking. For Kazakhstan, even a draw would be a morale booster, but defeat might seal their fate in the lower half.

The broader context of World Cup qualification adds layers. UEFA has 16 spots for the expanded 48-team tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Group winners qualify automatically, with runners-up entering playoffs. North Macedonia, historically underdogs, made waves by reaching the Euro 2020 playoffs and knocking out Italy in 2022 qualifiers. Kazakhstan, having switched from AFC to UEFA in 2002, has yet to qualify for a major tournament but showed promise in Euro 2024 qualifiers with wins over Denmark and Finland.

North Macedonia Team Preview

North Macedonia, formerly FYR Macedonia until 2019, has evolved into a competitive force under manager Blagoja Milevski. Their pragmatic style—often a 4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2—emphasizes defensive solidity and quick counters. In these qualifiers, they’ve conceded just two goals in five games, keeping three clean sheets. Home form is particularly strong, with an average of 2.33 goals scored and high-scoring wins like 5-0 over Liechtenstein.

Recent results highlight their resilience:

June 9, 2025: Kazakhstan 0-1 North Macedonia (Away win)
September 2025: North Macedonia 1-1 Belgium (Home draw)
September 2025: North Macedonia 5-0 Liechtenstein (Home win)
June 2025: North Macedonia 1-1 Wales (Home draw)
March 2025: Liechtenstein 0-3 North Macedonia (Away win)

This unbeaten streak in four competitive matches underscores their consistency. Team news: Forward Lirim Qamili is out injured, but midfielders David Babunski and Stefan Ashkovski return. No major suspensions, and the squad is largely fit.

Key players to watch:

Stole Dimitrievski (Goalkeeper, Valencia): A reliable shot-stopper with La Liga experience, crucial for clean sheets.
Eljif Elmas (Midfielder, RB Leipzig): Dynamic box-to-box player with vision; his energy drives transitions.
Enis Bardhi (Midfielder, Trabzonspor): Set-piece specialist, scoring one goal in qualifiers; his free-kicks are a threat.
Bojan Miovski (Forward, Girona): Top scorer with two goals; his pace and finishing make him a constant danger.
Aleksandar Trajkovski (Forward): Veteran with two goals; scored the winner against Kazakhstan earlier.

Tactics: Expect Milevski to focus on possession at home, using wing-backs like Ezgjan Alioski to stretch the play. Their average of 2.2 goals per game suggests they’ll aim to break down Kazakhstan’s defense patiently.

Kazakhstan Team Preview

Kazakhstan’s journey in UEFA has been challenging, but under new management after Ali Aliyev’s resignation following a 0-6 defeat, they’re seeking stability. Typically deploying a 5-4-1 or 3-5-2, they prioritize compactness but have conceded 2.2 goals per game. Away form is weak, with nine goals conceded in three matches.

Head-to-Head Analysis

North Macedonia holds a perfect record against Kazakhstan, winning both encounters:

June 9, 2025: Kazakhstan 0-1 North Macedonia (WC Qualifier)
June 4, 2021: North Macedonia 4-0 Kazakhstan (Friendly)

These results show North Macedonia’s dominance, with clean sheets in both. Average goals: 2.5 per game, but recent trends suggest lower totals.

Statistical Breakdown

A deeper look at stats reinforces the favoritism:

Statistic	North Macedonia	Kazakhstan
Goals Scored (Avg/Game)	2.2	0.6
Goals Conceded (Avg/Game)	0.4	2.2
Clean Sheets	3/5	1/5
BTTS %	40%	20%
Home/Away Goals Scored	2.33 (Home)	1.0 (Away)

North Macedonia’s home games average 3.0 total goals, but against weaker sides like Kazakhstan, expect control. Kazakhstan’s away concessions (3.0 avg) point to vulnerability.

Prediction in Depth

Considering forms, injuries, and history, North Macedonia should win comfortably, perhaps 2-0 or 1-0. Their defense limits chances, while Kazakhstan’s attack lacks punch. However, if Kazakhstan scores early, a draw isn’t impossible—qualifiers see underdogs rise. Overall, the evidence points to a home victory, with under 2.5 goals likely (seen in North Macedonia’s last three matches).

Current Odds and Markets

Odds as of October 10, 2025:

Market	North Macedonia	Draw	Kazakhstan	Source
Match Winner	1.32–1.44	4.59–4.80	8.70–9.70	1xBet, 22Bet
Over/Under 2.5	Under 1.72–1.83	–	Over 2.00–2.13	1xBet
BTTS	No 1.53	–	Yes ~2.40	Betbrain

Correct score odds: 1-0 North Macedonia at ~5.00, 2-0 at ~6.00. Half-time/full-time: North Macedonia/North Macedonia ~2.20.

Betting Tips and Strategies

North Macedonia to Win (1.36): Safe bet with their form and home edge.
Under 2.5 Goals (1.75 avg): Both teams’ styles favor low scores.
North Macedonia Win to Nil (2.00): Kazakhstan’s scoring drought makes this appealing.
Asian Handicap: North Macedonia -1.5 (~2.10): For higher returns if they win by two+.
Prop Bet: Trajkovski Anytime Scorer (~3.00): His track record against Kazakhstan.

Always bet responsibly, and shop for best odds. Live betting could offer value if Kazakhstan starts strong.

Broader Implications and Fan Perspectives

A North Macedonia win boosts their auto-qualification chances, potentially setting up a decider with Belgium. For Kazakhstan, it’s about pride and building for Nations League. Fans on social media buzz with optimism for North Macedonia, citing their “golden generation,” while Kazakh supporters hope for a resilient display despite odds.

Conclusion

This match exemplifies the drama of World Cup qualifiers—favorites vs. underdogs. North Macedonia’s quality should prevail, but football’s unpredictability keeps us hooked.