Sebastien Pocognoli's only win as Scotland boss came in October, with a 2-0 victory over North Macedonia.
The pair meet again on Friday, this time at Hampden Park and the Scots need another three points to keep their hopes of qualifying from Nations League Group B1 alive.
Any progress is likely to come through the qualification play-offs, with Monday's opponents Switzerland top of the pool on 12 points, five better than Slovenia, who won in Glasgow last month.
The Scots have four points, but North Macedonia have only one, and anything but a win will see them condemned to the Nations League relegation play-offs.
Scotland v North Macedonia Tips Summary
Best Bet - Scotland to win & under 2.5 goals @ 9/4
Alternative Bet - John McGinn over 3.5 fouls won @ 6/4
Bet Builder - Both teams to score - No, Stole Dimitrievski 4+ saves, Enis Bardhi 2+ fouls won & Lewis Ferguson 3+ fouls committed @ 21/4
Scotland v North Macedonia Prediction
Best Bet: Scotland to win & under 2.5 goals @ 9/4
Scotland have to win and if they don't, Pocogonoli could be out after just five games. There have been signs of encouragement under the Belgian, dominating yet failing to take their chances in the opening 0-0 with Slovenia.
An early red card overshadowed the 3-0 defeat to Switzerland. The win in Skopje was expected to galvanise the side, but they were flat in the 2-1 defeat to Slovenia, leading at half-time but failing to kick on.
They have to win on Friday, but 1/6 for the home victory feels short for a team that doesn't score enough goals, even with Scott McTominay back available.
A repeat of last month's 2-0 win for the Scots is a viable alternative at 4/1, but there is a bit more wiggle room in backing the home win with under 2.5 goals.
North Macedonia have failed to win their last 12 and haven't scored in the Nations League.
They are unlikely to open up and attack, so expect a cagey home victory.
Alternative Bet: John McGinn over 3.5 fouls won @ 6/4
With neither side truly confident, it could be a scrappy game featuring plenty of heavy tackles, making John McGinn a player to follow.
McGinn has been fouled 25 times in the Premier League, second only to Manchester City's Elliot Anderson, and his 21 fouls suffered are the most in this competition.
The 32-year-old is a master at winning free-kicks, including drawing six infringements in last month's match, and three or more is attainable.
Scotland v North Macedonia Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score - No
Stole Dimitrievski 4+ saves
Enis Bardhi 2+ fouls won
Lewis Ferguson 3+ fouls committed
Pays 21/4
Friday's visitors are still to score in this campaign, so a 'no' in both teams to score is a sensible place to start the Bet Builder, especially as Scotland have also kept two clean sheets.
Among North Macedonia's best players is Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, who has made 21 Nations League saves in four appearances. Six of those came in the reverse match and he should be busy again.
It is not all negative for the visitors, though, and they have some wonderful technical players, including Enis Bardhi.
The Konyaspor playmaker has quick feet and is a fabulous dribbler, and that agility has helped him draw seven fouls in the Nations League, including three in October's meeting.
On that note, Lewis Ferguson's 13 fouls committed are the joint-highest in this competition and he could match his three infringements in the game in Skopje.
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Key Match Stats
Scotland are unbeaten in their last four meetings with North Macedonia.
John McGinn has been fouled a tournament-high 21 times in the Nations Championship.
North Macedonia have failed to win their last 12 games.
The Lynxes are yet to score in the Nations League.
North Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski has made 21 saves in the Nations League.
Scotland's Lewis Ferguson has committed 13 fouls - the joint-most in the Nations League.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
