Spain vs Cyprus prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-09-11 18:45.
Manager Luis de la Fuente recently stated that he believes Spain have ironed out their teething problems after getting over their disappointing start to UEFA Euro 2024 (UEC) qualifying. The head coach, who only took charge at the back end of last year, saw his side lose to Scotland back in March but declared he saw plenty of “commitment” and “improvement” after a 7-1 thrashing of Georgia on Thursday night.
That was a third straight win across all competitions for La Roja, who were crowned UEFA Nations League champions in June when they beat Croatia on penalties. They are now looking to extend a formidable record in home UEC qualifiers, where they are on a run of 23 straight victories since 2003, netting 70 goals and conceding just eight in the process.
That’s bad news for opponents Cyprus who come into the game having lost each of their last seven internationals. Their last visit to Spanish soil for battle also saw them on the wrong side of an 8-0 demolition back in 1999, that remains their joint-second heaviest margin of defeat and makes up one of seven losses from the last eight H2Hs (W1).
Friday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Scotland meant Temur Ketsbaia’s side are in the wooden spoon position for this qualifying race with zero points on the board after four games. That’s a position Cyprus are used to in UEC qualifying though, as they have finished bottom or second from bottom in 13 of their 14 previous campaigns, a trend only bucked when they came fourth out of six in Euro 2020 qualifying.
Key battle: At just 16 years and 57 days, Lamine Yamal became both Spain’s youngest player to make an appearance and youngest scorer when he netted in the win over Georgia. One of those looking to stop him may be defender Konstantinos Laifis, although that seems a forlorn hope given Cyprus have conceded at least two goals in each of his last ten internationals.
Hot stat: Spain have conceded first in only one of their last 22 home matches (excluding games played at tournament finals).