Back
Steffen Schmidt - July 12, 2023
Makedonija vs RFS
UEFA Conference League Qualification
Date: 13 July 2023, Thursday
Kick-off at 16:30 UK / 17:30 CET
Venue: Trening centar Petar Milosevski (Skopje).
RFS took advantage of a shockingly good draw in the last year’s Conference League qualifications to feature in the group stage of a European competition for the first time in team’s history.
They jumped above Maltese Hibernians in the third qualifying round and went on to skip the playoffs after being favored by the draw.
However, we must say that the Latvians showed quality in the group, taking a massive point against latter finalists Fiorentina in a 1-1 stalemate away at Stadio Artemio Franchi last year.
RFS will begin the new campaign in the highest of spirits, encouraged with such an extraordinary run last time out.
They will fancy their chances in a double-header with the North Macedonian cup winners Makedonija G.P.
Makedonija finished the domestic league in seventh place last year but they stunned champions Struga in the cup final to secure another European journey.
They have failed to find the back of the net in the second qualifying round of the Conference League last year, falling 0-4 on aggregate to Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia on the occasion.
Makedonija did not look great in preseason friendlies, especially in terms of their defensive showings.
The team led by Serbian manager Goran Simov conceded at least three goals in three of four exhibitions, including a tough 4-0 defeat to Cukaricki in the final check before the official matches.
RFS are big favorites in this matchup in our eyes. They are in the midst of the title battle in the top flight of Latvian football, currently sitting three points below leaders Riga.
They have a predator in the final third in the like of Andrej Ilic who bagged 13 goals in 22 league matches this season, while we also must mention the likes of Emerson Deocleciano, Cedric Kouadio, and Petr Mares as highly influential players. The away win is well worth backing at the 2.60 odds.
