Kosovo vs Cyprus prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League C betting tips on match 2024-10-14 18:45.
[p]Kosovo have proven their hefty 3-0 defeat to Romania in the opening round of this UEFA Nations League (UNL) cycle hasn’t dented morale too badly, as they’ve recovered well to win their last two matches to sit second in Group C2. Their last outing produced a narrow 2-1 victory over Lithuania, but prior to that they had inflicted their own damage in a 3-0 win over Cyprus, against whom they renew their rivalry with here.[/p]
[p]It hasn’t been a competitive rivalry by any means, with Kosovo winning all three prior meetings by an aggregate score of 11-1! Another dominant showing here will amplify their bid to reach League B for the very first time, but Franco Foda’s troops will have to overcome an underwhelming recent home record to get the job done, since they’ve won just one of their last eight matches at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri (D5, L2) – a run that started after a 5-1 mauling of Cyprus at the same ground. [/p]
[p]Cyprus also experienced the quality of the Romanians, as they were dispatched 3-0 at home at the weekend. That was hardly the start new boss Sofronis Avgousti would’ve wanted to his tenure in the national hot seat, and since he inherited a team fresh off a 4-0 thumping by Kosovo prior, it’s clear his team seek improvements all over the pitch. [/p]
[p]They did start this Group C2 campaign off with a 1-0 win over Lithuania, and while optimism may have been high following that result, the objective now will very much be to protect their League C status. No matter how bad things have been in the past however, the Cypriots have made a habit of stopping the bleeding at this point of a UNL campaign, avoiding defeat on matchday four in all three prior UNL cycles (D3).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lumbardh Dellova opened his international scoring account against Cyprus in the last H2H, and will be looking to put in another solid defensive effort since only twice in his 11 caps have Kosovo conceded more than once, including five clean sheets. Hoping to spoil that record will be Ioannis Pittas, whose last five goal contributions for club and country have all resulted in victories for his side (G4, A1).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Just four of Cyprus’ last 13 games have seen both teams score. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]