Cyprus Vs Scotland
Saturday 16 November 2019 – 14:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying
Pick: Cyprus or Draw (Double Chance)
Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: SportingBet
UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting – 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct as of 14 November 2019 at 23:50)
Preview: Euro 2020 Qualifying cannot end soon enough for Scotland, who have endured a dismal time of it in Group I and are already eliminated from automatic qualifying contention. The same applies to Cyprus, who would finish in third should they clinch a maiden head-to-head win on Saturday.
Cyprus Preview – Can Cypriots nail down third?
Group I Results: San Marino 5-0 (H), Belgium 0-2 (H), Scotland 2-1 (A), Russia 1-0 (A), Kazakhstan 1-1 (H), San Marino 0-4 (A), Kazakhstan 1-2 (A), Russia 0-5 (H)
Even though the two teams above them have amassed over twice as many points, this has still been a moderately successful qualifying campaign for Cyprus (3rd – W3 D1 L4, GF13 GA12). Victory in their final home fixture, which is against a Scotland side directly below them in the standings, would guarantee them a third-place finish that would probably be regarded as a decent showing for the country ranked only 93rd in the world rankings.
Losing 5-0 at home to Russia in their most recent qualifier was undoubtedly the lowest moment of the campaign. Prior to that aberration, though, the Cypriots’ heaviest defeat was the 2-0 inflicted on them by a classy Belgium side. For the most part then, this has been a team who have competed reasonably well. Even so much as to push both Russia (1-0) and Scotland (2-1) close on their own patches.
The defeat in Scotland was particularly harsh on them, netting a late equaliser only to concede an even later winner. The manner of the performance, however, suggests they can be a match for their higher ranked opponents this weekend. Although, that only one of their three victories in this group (a come-from-behind win in Kazakhstan, 2-1) would come against a side other than a hopeless San Marino is certainly a cause for concern.
Scotland Preview – Steve Clarke’s men uneasy favourites?
Group I Results: Kazakhstan 3-0 (A), San Marino 0-2 (A), Cyprus 2-1 (H), Belgium 3-0 (A), Russia 1-2 (H), Belgium 0-4 (H), Russia 4-0 (A), San Marino 6-0 (H)
Thrashing San Marino at Hampden Park in their most recent qualifier was good fun and all, however, it did nothing to detract from what has been a woeful campaign. Scotland (4th – W3 D0 L5, GF11 GA17) had high hopes prior to qualifying getting underway, as is often the case, but the benefit of hindsight tells us the writing was on the wall as early as the first result. Put simply, they never recovered from that 3-0 humbling away to Kazakhstan in March.
Fortunately, all hope is not lost. The play-offs now await. These final two qualifiers are merely warm up matches with that in mind then. Therefore it was of no great surprise to read of some big names opting to remain at home with their clubs instead of joining up with the national team. Captain Andy Robertson, the in-form Man Utd midfielder, Scott McTominay, and Bournemouth’s Ryan Fraser have all withdrawn their services citing injuries.
Scotland have struggled throughout almost the entirety of this group. Two of their three wins were formalities versus San Marino, the other a late and entirely unconvincing 2-1 success in the reverse encounter with Cyprus. So the absence of some of their better individuals will be to the detriment of a team that toiled even with them in the side, let alone without. Nevertheless, The Scots approach this fixture as favourites, despite suffering three heavy defeats in their four away qualifiers thus far.
Cyprus Vs Scotland Key Facts:
- Cyprus would win one of four home qualifiers (W1 D1 L2) in this group, that against lowly San Marino.
- Scotland have been well-beaten in three of their four away encounters, failing to score on each occasion as well as losing by three clear goals in Belgium, Kazakhstan and Russia.
- The previous six head-to-head encounters were all won by Scotland, who needed a 89th-minute winner in June to maintain that streak.
Betting Summary
How much significance Cyprus place on finishing third is not clear. It would, though, represent a reasonably good showing for the team predicted to finish in fourth based on their FIFA Ranking. They were thrashed 5-0 at home by Russia last month, their heaviest loss of the group, but would restrict Belgium to only two goals and draw with Kazakhstan as hosts. Moreover, only a late goal denied them a point in Scotland.
The absence of numerous key players has weakened an already badly-performing Scotland team, with focus now switching to the play-offs after falling a long way short of securing a top two finish in this group. Trips to Belgium (3-0), Kazakhstan (4-0) and Russia (4-0) were all fruitless and reason enough to be sceptical about their chances here.
Despite a terrible campaign so far, which includes some emphatic away losses, the bookmakers make Scotland the favourites. Cyprus are distinctly ordinary, sure, but a heavy loss to Russia in their latest fixture aside have competed reasonably well in this group. The Scots have won all six previous meetings but do look susceptible heading into this latest renewal.
