Scotland-Cyprus is a match on the first day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group A and is played on Saturday at 15:00: tv, predictions.
Group A is Spain, the number one favourite for first place. As for second place, however, the hierarchies appear far from defined.
Scotland and Norway are more or less equal, although the presence of an absolute phenomenon like Haaland tips the scales towards the Scandinavians. Both, however, will have to watch out for Kvaratskhelia’s Georgia, a selection on the rise and fresh from a brilliant Nations League, in which they were promoted to League B. A situation of balance and uncertainty that makes it one of the most interesting groupings. The Scots, after qualifying at the last European Championships, failed to snatch a pass for Qatar 2022, having lost the playoff to Ukraine. The national team led by Steve Clarke, however, redeemed themselves in the last Nations League, winning their group and gaining promotion to League A. A not insignificant result, also in view of the qualification for Euro 2024: the winners of the Nations League groups, in fact, are automatically entitled to a place in the play-offs should they not finish in the top two.
A ‘short cut’ that Scotland hopes not to take advantage of anyway. Better to qualify directly, without having to go through the dangerous playoffs. No false starts, then.
Ketsbaia
The opener is at Hampden Park against Cyprus, the least competitive selection on paper in the group. Avoiding last place, in the light of Georgia’s progress, will be very complicated for the men coached – as it happens – by the Georgian Temur Ketsbaia, who was a star player in the Premier League with Newcastle. Cyprus failed to avoid relegation to League D in the Nations League despite finishing level on points with Northern Ireland, who were saved thanks to a better goal difference. However, recent victories against Greece and a 3-2 home win over Israel in a friendly bode well.
The prediction
Scotland are starting from a solid group, who participated in the last European Championships and missed out on World Cup qualification by a whisker. A win for them, even a very comfortable one, is likely in the challenge against Cyprus, which is decidedly less insidious away from home. It cannot be ruled out that the Scots can also keep their goal unbroken.
The likely Scotland v Cyprus line-up
- SCOTLAND (4-2-3-1): Gunn; Hickey, Hanley, Porteous, Robertson; McTominay, McGregor; Armstrong, McGinn, Christie; Adams.
- CIPRO (4-3-3): Panagi; Antoniou, Laifis, Roberge, Ioannou; Kyriakou, Kastanos, Artymatas; Loizou, Christofi, Tzionis.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-0
