England are in North Macedonia tonight to put the finishing touches on their qualification campaign for Euro 2024.
The Three Lions travel to Skopje having sealed qualification for next summer's tournament with two games to spare, but in need of a jolt of excitement following Friday's laboured 2-0 home win over Group C minnows Malta.
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It was a lacklustre and subdued night at a sold-out Wembley - where players and fans paid emotional tribute to the late, great Sir Bobby Charlton - in England's final home fixture of 2023, with the hosts failing to register a shot on target for more than an hour as they led via an early own goal before Harry Kane's effort 15 minutes from time.
Gareth Southgate admitted his frustration after that wholly unconvincing display against the world's 171st-ranked team, but insisted that he was not worried by the prospect of his side sleepwalking into the Euro 2024 finals.
Nevertheless he will surely be seeking a marked improvement against a North Macedonia team that gave Italy another scare in Rome on Friday before eventually succumbing to a 5-2 defeat that means the Azzurri - who missed out on last year's World Cup finals after being stunned by North Macedonia - now need only a point against Ukraine on Monday to join England in Germany.
Date, kick-off time and venue
North Macedonia vs England is scheduled for a 7:45pm GMT kick-off tonight on Monday November 20, 2023.
The match will take place at the National Arena Tose Proeski in Skopje.
Where to watch North Macedonia vs England
TV channel: In the UK, tonight's game will be televised live and free-to-air on Channel 4, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the contest live and for free online via the Channel 4 website and app.
Live blog: You can follow all the action via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.
North Macedonia vs England team news
North Macedonia XI: Dimitrievski, Manev, Serafimov, Musliu, Dimoski, Bardhi, Atanasov, Alimi, Alioski, Miovski, Elmas.
Subs: Kostadinov, Askovski, Iljazovski, Elezi, Churlinov, Mitrovski, Ristovski, Todoroski, Aleksovski, Daci, Ademi, Siskovski.
England XI: Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Guehi, Lewis; Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Foden; Saka, Watkins, Grealish
Subs: Johnstone, Ramsdale, Tomori, Henderson, Phillips, Gallagher, Konsa, Rashford, Palmer, Kane
Jack Grealish may also start, along with a potential senior debut for Manchester City team-mate Lewis amid a dearth of senior left-back options compounded by Trippier's absence.
Rashford may not be risked though after an accidental collision with Alexander-Arnold against Malta left him in pain and needing to be replaced by Palmer.
North Macedonia vs England prediction
England were a million miles from their fluent best against Malta, something Southgate largely attributed to the non-stop grind of the fixture list.
However, even on an off-night, waiting until the 64th minute for a first shot on target at home against winless minnows with a strong front three on paper is an obvious cause for concern, however the manager tries to explain it away.
England simply must be better, bolder and brighter in Skopje, winning in more convincing and exciting fashion to prevent the predictable naysaying from growing louder with seven months to go until the Euros begin.
England to win, 3-0.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
England memorably drubbed North Macedonia 7-0 in the home fixture at Old Trafford back in June that closed out the season, with Saka scoring his first senior international hat-trick and Kane also getting a brace plus further goals from Rashford and Phillips.
The Three Lions have never lost to these opponents in five meetings, though were held to draws in both 2002 and 2006.
North Macedonia wins: 0
England wins: 3
Draws: 2
North Macedonia vs England match odds
North Macedonia to win: 18/1
England to win: 2/11
Draw: 71/10
