Macedonia vs. Wales: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Two nations in danger of falling out of contention for World Cup qualification this week, Macedonia and Wales clash on Friday with the aim of keeping their 2014 dreams alive.

As things stand, the pair currently sit on four points and six points in UEFA Group A, respectively, and a loss for either side would be enough to rule out any hopes of making it to Brazil next summer.

A win is absolutely vital for the desperate duo and three points on Friday could lift the victors to third place in the standings, although goal difference makes that less likely for the hosts.

When: Friday, Sept. 6, kickoff at 6 p.m. BST

Where: Philip II Arena, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia

Watch: Sky Sports 3 (UK)

Live Stream: SkyGo (subscription required)

TopStorylines

Will Gareth Bale Make His Playing Return?

After becoming the most expensive player in football history, the focus will of course be with Gareth Bale for this fixture.

The world will be waiting with bated breath to get their first glimpse of the forward since his £86 million move to Real Madrid was confirmed, having barely featured in Tottenham’s preseason.

Despite that lack of fitness, Wales assistant boss Kit Symons was recently reported by Sky Sports as saying that his nation’s brightest star “is obviously fit for selection.”

Those words would appear to dissuade any notion that Bale is off the pace in terms of fitness, and they open the door to a playing return for this month’s hot topic.

If Bale does play, it will be intriguing to note whether the Welshman thrives under the limelight cast upon him or crumbles under the pressure of his substantially increased fame.

Chris Coleman’s Flight Gets Delayed

Wales’ pursuit of 2014 World Cup qualification has, at times, been disappointing, leaving the principality some way adrift of entering their first major tournament since 1958.

Having said that, to hear that Chris Coleman’s trip was delayed after the Welsh manager forgot his passport brings their standards to a new low, per Rob Harris of the Associate Press:

As the Daily Mail’s Neil Moxley explains, Coleman eventually arrived in Skopje later on that night, but it’s an otherwise disappointing way to begin a tense week of qualifiers.

Prediction

As two of the teams unlikely to be progressing from Group A this year, Macedonia and Wales probably won't be putting on a feast of flamboyant football this Friday.

Goran Pandev, captain of the home side and all-time top scorer for Macedonia, will bear the brunt of his nation’s burden as the go-to link in attack.

Wales have a slightly more star-studded cast and will be relying on the in-form Aaron Ramsey to provide the visitors with the chances they so sorely need moving forward.

In the end, it’s likely to be a tight affair, separated by just the one spark of brilliance, although a draw looks the most likely outcome.

Macedonia 1-1 Wales