North Macedonia vs Scotland – Match preview and team news

Scotland and North Macedonia face each other in the third group fixture of their UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday at the Nacionalna Arena Tose Proeska as both teams look for their first win in this international break.

North Macedonia vs Scotland – Match preview and team news

Venue: Nacionalna Arena Tose Proeska, Skopje.

North Macedonia deals with its own set of fitness setbacks ahead of tonight's clash at the Todor Proeski National Arena.

The hosts will be missing experienced left-back Ezgjan Alioski, who was forced to withdraw from the squad after sustaining a painful calf injury in their previous outing against Switzerland.

Midfielder Boban Nikolov has also been ruled out of the camp due to fitness issues, narrowing the team's options in central areas. Despite these absences, the Lions boast plenty of star power in the final third.

Inspirational captain Enis Bardhi is poised to earn his 84th international cap, pulling the strings as the primary creative force in midfield.

He will be closely supported by RB Leipzig's Eljif Elmas in an advanced role, while Rangers forward Bojan Miovski is fully expected to lead the attacking line up front.

Scotland enters this crucial fixture facing significant selection headaches, particularly in defence. Centre-back Jack Hendry is suspended after picking up an early red card against Switzerland, forcing manager Sebastien Pocognoli to reshuffle his backline.

The squad was already heavily depleted prior to the international window, with key figures like Kieran Tierney, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, Lawrence Shankland, and Che Adams all ruled out due to ongoing injuries or unavailability.

To fill the defensive void, Swansea City's Stephen Welsh or Luis Binks is widely expected to step into the back three alongside veteran Scott McKenna.

On a brighter note, captain Andy Robertson is set to earn his historic 100th international cap from the left flank, moving closer to the all-time record. He will link up with Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson, who are tipped to anchor the midfield.

North Macedonia finds itself in a historic slump, having gone six consecutive matches without scoring a goal. They currently sit at the bottom of Group E after losing both opening Nations League fixtures without a reply. Goce Sedloski's side suffered a heavy 3-0 loss at home to Switzerland, followed by a disappointing 2-0 defeat away against Slovenia, leaving them desperate to break their dry spell tonight.

Scotland enters this contest searching for an attacking spark under Sebastien Pocognoli, having failed to score in their last four matches across all competitions. They opened their UEFA Nations League campaign with a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Slovenia, but followed it with a bruising 3-0 home defeat against Switzerland after an early red card. However, their formidable away record of losing only once in their last seven travels provides strong confidence.

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski; Ilievski, Zajkov, Musliu, Alomerovic; Atanasov, Gashtarov; Mitrovski, Bardhi, Elmas; Miovski

Scotland: Gunn; Binks, McKenna, Welsh; Hickey, Gilmour, Ferguson, McGinn, Robertson; Bowie, McBurnie

How to watch North Macedonia vs Scotland?

The match will be broadcast live on BBC Two and BBC Scotland.

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