Wales vs North Macedonia Prediction: Wilson to skipper Dragons in style

After winning their Uefa Nations League group last year, Wales are already assured of a place in March's World Cup play-offs, but if they beat North Macedonia at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday (19:45 GMT, BBC iPlayer), the Dragons will overtake the Lynxes in second and guarantee themselves a home semi-final in the play-offs. Craig Bellamy's side could even finish first and qualify automatically to next year's finals, but that would require international minnows Liechtenstein beating Group J leaders Belgium.

Below are my Wales vs North Macedonia predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

Jordan James scored the only goal of the game on Saturday as Wales beat Liechtenstein 1-0 in Vaduz, but the Leicester City loanee and his midfield partner in that game, Leeds United skipper Ethan Ampadu, are suspended for Tuesday's match after picking up their second bookings of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Fulham winger Harry Wilson, back from a ban, will captain Wales for the first time on Tuesday, with Ampadu, as well as regular captains Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies, who are both injured, all missing.

Football Odds

North Macedonia saw their skipper, Enis Bardhi, depart at half-time of last Thursday's goalless draw with Latvia, but the Konyaspor midfielder should be fit to feature in Cardiff.

Wales vs North Macedonia Odds

March's reverse fixture in Skopje finished 1-1, with Bojan Miovski and David Brooks both scoring in second-half added time. Another stalemate between the two sides can be backed at 5/2, with Wales 8/11 for the victory, implying a 57.9% probability of success, and North Macedonia 4/1, or a 20% chance.

Betfred are offering several Price Boosts, including Wales to Win to Nil, Daniel James to Score & Wales Most Corners at 10/1 (was 9/1).

Match Result - Wales @ 7/10

Wales have won five of their last eight games in Cardiff, including two of their three Group J qualifiers.

Bellamy's charges beat Kazakhstan 3-1 there on March 22 and secured back-to-back home wins with a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein on June 6. They failed to overcome Belgium in the capital on October 13, losing 4-2, but two of the Red Devils' strikes came from the penalty spot.

Today's Football Fixtures

North Macedonia held Wales to a 1-1 draw in Skopje, but they shouldn't provide as much of a test on Welsh soil, certainly much less of one than Belgium.

The Lynxes have only won two of their last eight matches, and while they've only lost one of the other six (D5), it's hardly encouraging stuff. They've drawn their last three, failing to score in goalless draws with Belgium and Latvia, either side of a 1-1 stalemate with Kazakhstan.

It could be tight in Cardiff, but I'm expecting the home support to see Wales through on Tuesday.

Anytime Goalscorer - Harry Wilson (WAL) @ 11/5

Wilson should be fresh and raring to go after sitting out Saturday's victory in Vaduz.

The 28-year-old, who has scored 14 goals in 66 senior caps for his country, will be further fuelled by donning the captain's armband for the first time on Tuesday.

Wilson has scored twice in four Group J games, netting in back-to-back June matches against Liechtenstein and Belgium.

The Fulham man has found the net twice for his club side this season, most recently scoring the Cottagers' second in a 3-0 victory over Wolves on November 1, and he looks decent value to fire for Wales on Tuesday.