After battling to a 0-0 draw in the first meeting, Shkendija host TNS in their UEFA Champions League qualifying second leg. Both teams will fancy their chances of claiming the upper hand, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter.
Shkendija had a few nervy moments in the first leg but held on to see out the draw in Wales. They are now unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions and will be keen to maintain that run.
The North Macedonians have also been solid on home soil lately and are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in front of their fans. However, Jeton Bekjiri's men will need to tighten up at the back, having failed to keep a clean sheet in five of the last six fixtures on this run.
TNS will feel they should have won the first leg after creating several scoring opportunities. They are now winless in their last four matches across all competitions, a run manager Craig Harrison will be keen to snap.
The problem for TNS is that they travel to North Macedonia with a poor record in their travels. The Welsh are winless in four of their last five away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Shkendija
Shkendija have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 3/4 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for TNS is valued at 14/5 while a draw is set at odds of 12/5.
Head to head: A win apiece
There were two previous matches before last week's first leg as both teams met in the Champions League qualifiers in 2018. Shkendija won 5-0 at home in the first meeting while TNS earned a 4-0 victory in the second leg.
Players to watch: Eyes on Ibraimi
Besart Ibraimi scored 15 goals last season and could be worth keeping an eye on after starting from the bench in the first leg. Liridon Latifi has also looked sharp in attack lately and can combine with Ibraimi to produce over 1.5 goals – valued at 10/11 with BoyleSports.
TNS also have some attacking quality and will look to Zach Clarke and Jordan Williams to provide the spark. Both men have three goals each this season and can help the visitors produce over 0.5 goals – priced at 1/2 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups:
Ibraimi was a second-half substitute in the first leg and could be handed a start on Tuesday. Latifi should also retain his place in the team, while Imran Fetai is set to continue at the back.
Clarke did not feature in the first meeting and could return to the team for the second leg. He should feature with Williams in attack while Harrison McGahey is expected to start at the heart of the defence.
Shkendija: Gaye, Trumci, Fetai, Cake, Webster, Ramadani, Qaka, Tamba, Krasniqi, Latifi, Ibraimi
TNS: Shepperd, Smith, McGahey, Bodenham, Redmond, Holden, Corness, Williams, Brobbel, Williams, Clarke
Anything else catch the eye?
Seven of Shkendija’s last nine matches have produced over 2.5 goals – available at 10/11 with BoyleSports. Both teams have scored in three of TNS’s last four away matches (BTTS YES – 5/6).
There have been goals in each half in seven of Shkendija's last nine home matches (Goal in each half – offered at 5/6).
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