Egypt vs North Macedonia Prediction & Betting Tips - Monde | Championnats du Monde

Prediction published on 15/01/2021, 15:28  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/01/2021 at 16:53 in Handball World Championship Prediction

Hosts Egypt look to make it two straight wins in Group G of the 2021 World Men's Handball Cup. They take on wild card entrants North Macedonia who lost their opening game to group leaders Sweden. Egypt took on Chile in their opening match and came away with a 35-29 victory. They had a six goal lead at half-time (18-12) but couldn't extend that lead against a determined Chile team. Egypt will look for more goals from Yehia El Deraa who scored from each of his six throws. Coach Roberto Garcia Parrondo was pleased with their performance and still believes his side can reach the knock-out stages.

North Macedonia were a late entrant into these championships. They were given a wildcard when the Czech Republic withdrew. They had a tough opener up against Sweden and went down 32-20. The game got tougher for them as it progressed. North Macedonia were only five goals down at half-time but the Swedes more than doubled that lead in the second half. This is their fifth straight appearance in the World Cup, two years ago they failed to make it out of the preliminary round and went into the Presidents' Cup. They won three, lost four and finished 15th overall. Their best performance was in 2015 when finishing ninth. They lost in the preliminary round of the 2020 European Championships and their main target in this group is to beat either Egypt or Chile (most likely the latter) and make it into the main round. Egypt look the stronger side here and can be backed to win on a -4 handicap.