Scotland v Cyprus
Saturday 8th June 1945hrs
Football – International – Euro 2020 Qualification
Pick Scotland
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 13/25 (odds taken 20.20 GMT, Friday 7th June)
Scotland will be playing their first game under Steve Clarke on Saturday and looking to get off to a winning start as they face a Cyprus team they are expected to beat at Hampden.
Euro 2020 Qualifying Betting at Marathon Bet
Scotland Preview – Is Steve Clarke set for a winning start as Scotland boss?
Scotland will be playing their first game under Steve Clarke on Saturday and looking to get off to a winning start as they face a Cyprus team they are expected to beat at Hampden.
Alex McLeish was never a popular appointment as Scotland manager. When losing 3-0 away to Kazakhstan in their opening game of this qualifying campaign the writing was on the wall. McLeish survived long enough to oversee an unconvincing 2-0 win away to San Marino next time out but was relieved of his duties shortly after that. Clarke was virtually the unanimous choice amongst the support and the SFA delivered that appointment. Having worked wonders in his 18-month spell at Kilmarnock, the hope is Clarke can get this Scotland team outperforming their means. Although they are up against it in this group now, the Scots do have a Nations League playoff to come next year, which looks like being their best chance of making it to their first major finals since 1998. With a trip to Belgium to come next week only three points will do in Clarke’s first game, though.
Clarke has stuck with the core of McLeish’s last squad but there is a notable inclusion of four Kilmarnock players. Greg Taylor, Stephen O’Donnell, Stuart Findlay and Eammon Brophy were all starts for Clarke at his former club so it’s no surprise to see them called up to his first squad.
Cyprus – Can Cyprus win away from home for the first time in two years?
Cyprus’ qualifying campaign has gone as expected so far. A comprehensive 5-0 win at home to the worst international team got them off to a winning start before coming undone against Belgium, to whom they lost 2-0. No qualification to a major finals is as good an indicator as to where Cyprus are in terms of their chances of making it through this section. Their Nations League group performance was also in line with where they are at. A solitary win over Slovenia as well as draws with that opponent and Bulgaria seen them finish second bottom of their section.
It’s been a struggle for Cyprus on their travels in recent times. Since beating Gibraltar in June 2017 – a full two years ago – the Cypriots have failed to win any of their last eight away games. They have lost six of them but the aforementioned draws in the Nations League campaign will give them some sort of belief for this game.
Key-Facts – Scotland v Cyprus
- Steve Clarke was appointed Scotland boss last month and takes charge of his first game tomorrow
- The Scots got off to the worst possible start in this section but are unbeaten in their last nine home competitive games
- Cyprus have been dire on the road over the past two years losing six of their last eight away matches
Scotland v Cyprus Betting Advice
With Belgium and Russia in this section it was always going to be a tough ask for Scotland to qualify. Those chances became even bleaker when that embarrassing loss to Kazakhstan occurred but the change in manager has definitely lifted spirits heading into this game. Other than San Marino, Clarke would probably not have asked for a better first match in charge, either. He will hope there is a decent crowd in Hampden for it as Scotland try to stay in contention for a top two finish. Cyprus will travel in hope more than expectation in their first away group of this section.
Clarke has rejuvenated this Scotland team by giving them a much-needed lift after a dismal start to qualification. His appointment has been backed by the supporters and that should ensure a positive atmosphere tomorrow. The Scots are unbeaten in competitive action at home since 2015 – winning five and drawing four. With this being a must-win game there will be pressure on the players to perform and they have to be able to cope with that. Clarke may have only had a week to work with the squad but it should end with three points tomorrow and on to Belgium.
