First League Matchday 22 Review 2026: Surprises & Key Results

Matchday 22 in North Macedonia's First League delivered a thrilling weekend of football, with dominant wins, tight battles, and some shocking results that had implications for the league table. The round produced 11 goals, an average of 1.83 per match, underscoring the defensive resilience of many teams. Struga stole the headlines with an emphatic 5-0 victory, while title contenders Shkendija stumbled to a draw. Vardar Skopje, meanwhile, consolidated their position at the summit with a hard-fought away win. Here's our in-depth review of the action as well as an evaluation of our prediction accuracy.

Our Prediction Scorecard: Mixed Success

Our 1X2 predictions were largely on point, hitting 5 out of 6 correct outcomes (83%). The Over/Under calls were less impressive, with a middling 50% hit rate. Meanwhile, predictions for both teams to score (BTTS) proved challenging this round, with only 33% accuracy. The standout trend across the matches was that defenses dominated, confounding expectations for goals in several fixtures.

• 1X2 Accuracy: 5/6 correct (83%)
• Over/Under: 3/6 correct (50%)
• BTTS: 2/6 correct (33%)

Despite strong calls in the 1X2 category, some matches provided surprises. Let's dig deeper into the most notable results.

Notable Results: Struga's Rampage and Vardar's Tactical Masterclass

Struga 5-0 Shkupi 1927

Struga delivered a masterclass in attacking football, dismantling Shkupi 1927 in emphatic fashion. Our prediction leaned toward a Struga win (1X2: 45%), which proved accurate, but the sheer margin of the victory stunned even the most optimistic fans. Struga took a 3-0 lead by halftime, and a relentless second-half display saw them finish with five unanswered goals. While we correctly forecasted Over 2.5 goals (63%), the BTTS call (yes, 58%) fell flat as Shkupi's attack was completely nullified.

With this statement win, Struga tightened their grip on third place, positioning themselves as potential challengers in the final stretch of the season.

Sileks 0-1 Vardar Skopje

League leaders Vardar Skopje showcased their title credentials with a hard-fought away win against Sileks. This match was a tactical battle, with Vardar nicking the lone goal late in the second half. Our prediction for a Vardar victory (1X2: 48%) proved spot on, as did our under 2.5 goals call (57%), reflecting the tight nature of this clash. BTTS (no: 53%) was another correct prediction, with defenses dominating throughout.

With the win, Vardar Skopje extended their lead at the top of the table to three points, seizing a critical opportunity as Shkendija faltered.

Biggest Surprises: Shkendija Held by Akademija Pandev

The standout shock of the round was Shkendija's 1-1 draw against Akademija Pandev. Our model heavily favored Shkendija (1X2: 75%), given their unbeaten home record this season. However, Akademija Pandev showed resilience and tactical organization to snatch a point. Our predictions for Over 2.5 goals (57%) and BTTS (no: 60%) also missed the mark; this was a match where defensive discipline outshined attacking quality.

This result could prove pivotal in the title race, as Shkendija surrendered an opportunity to keep pace with Vardar Skopje.

Best Calls: Tikveš vs Pelister Tight Affair

One of our most accurate predictions came from Tikveš's narrow 1-0 win over Pelister. We correctly anticipated a home win (1X2: 60%), under 2.5 goals (53%), and no BTTS (55%). The victory was hard-fought, with Tikveš converting a solitary chance, while Pelister's attack struggled to create meaningful opportunities. This result helped Tikveš climb further away from the bottom-half pack.

Standings Impact: Table Tightens in Key Areas

Matchday 22 saw critical movements at the top and middle of the table:

• Vardar Skopje: Their win extended their lead to three points, reaffirming their status as favorites for the title.
• Shkendija: A rare stumble could prove costly, and they now face increased pressure to stay within touching distance of Vardar.
• Struga: Their statement win solidified third place, putting them firmly in the mix for a top-two finish.
• Mid-table battles: Bashkimi Kumanovo and Tikveš both secured vital victories, separating themselves from Akademija Pandev and Aresimi in the congested mid-table.

Looking Ahead: Crunch Time for Contenders

As we approach Matchday 23, the stakes are higher than ever. Title rivals Vardar Skopje and Shkendija will look to maintain their momentum in critical fixtures, while Struga will aim to capitalize on their recent form and push for second place. The battle for survival at the bottom also heats up, with every point becoming crucial.

Stay tuned for next week's action as we continue to track the twists and turns of this thrilling season!