World Cup
2025-10-13 - North Macedonia vs Kazakhstan
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: World Cup Qualifier
Monday 13th October 2025 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
North Macedonia
A three-way fight has developed at the top of this World Cup Qualifying Group, but only two teams will be dreaming about playing at the 2026 World Cup Finals by the end of November. One will be guaranteed a place at the tournament and North Macedonia's battling display in Ghent means they are in command of that place going into the final three rounds of Qualifiers.
After the latest results, North Macedonia are topping this Group with a single point lead over Belgium and a 2 point advantage over Wales, although both of those nations have an extra game to play. Those fixtures will be played next month and the two main rivals for the top two positions in this Group are facing one another on Monday, which means North Macedonia can move a step ahead by making sure they win their own fixture coming up.
North Macedonia have yet to reach the World Cup Finals, but played at Euro 2020 and have also been Promoted to League B of the Nations League after dominating their League C Group. They have won just 2 of their last 6 games in all competitions, but the home form has been pretty solid. North Macedonia are unbeaten in 10 at home and they have won 4 of their last 6 here.
Kazakhstan
The performance of Kairat Almaty in the Champions League has to be a real encouragement for Kazakhstan's national team, although the fruits of that labour are not going to be seen in this World Cup Qualifying Group. The national Champions have some talented younger players coming through and that could make Kazakhstan a dangerous team in the years ahead.
Unfortunately they have not been able to keep up with the top three teams in this Qualifying Group and Kazakhstan have 6 points, which leaves them 6 short of North Macedonia at the top of the section. An upset win on Monday could push Kazakhstan back into contention, but they have lost all 4 Qualifiers played against Wales, Belgium and North Macedonia previously in this Group.
Kazakhstan actually played well in the Euro 2024 Qualifiers and only finished 4 points behind Denmark and Slovenia, but they have not really gotten going in this World Cup Qualifying Group. They have lost 11 of their last 14 games with the exceptions being wins over Curacao and Liechtenstein (twice). They won 0-2 away from home at Liechtenstein, but Kazakhstan have lost 11 of 12 away games played.
Head to Head
Earlier in this Group, North Macedonia battled to a 0-1 win in Astana.
The sole previous meeting in Skopje was an international friendly in June 2021 which was won 4-0 by North Macedonia in preparation for the delayed Euro 2020 Finals.
Prediction
All that matters to North Macedonia on Monday is winning this game and not worrying about the result between Wales and Belgium.
They would have entered this Group as arguably third favourites, but North Macedonia can lead the way into November with a win.
Anything less would open the door for the two teams immediately below them in this World Cup Qualifying Group to move past North Macedonia and so there is some pressure on the home team.
Hosting this Kazakhstan team should give North Macedonia the edge, although the performances of Kairat Almaty in the Champions League Qualifiers will be a huge boost for the national team.
Kazakhstan were 4-0 home winners over Liechtenstein a few days ago and that will have given them confidence, but it is hard to ignore the fact they have lost 11 of their last 12 away games.
This is also a big step up from Liechtenstein and North Macedonia have been solid enough defensively to believe they can contain the attacking threats. North Macedonia have won 4 of their last 6 home games and all of those victories have been in games in which they have kept clean sheets and that may be the best way towards the three points on Monday.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
North Macedonia 2-0 Kazakhstan
