Cyprus vs. Scotland – Prediction (EURO Qualification – 16.11.2019)

Preview and Teams Comparison.

With Cyprus eliminated and Scotland going nowhere but the Euro 2020 qualification playoffs, this match is a dead rubber. Yet, having only been denied a draw by an 89th minute goal in the reverse encounter, Cyprus will fancy their chances against a side only wishing to ‘warm up’, stay fit and remain injury-free for the playoffs. Cyprus defender Ioannis Kousoulos got the equaliser in the last H2H. This European Championship qualification (ECQ) campaign alone has seen Cyprus take just four home points from a possible 12, notably conceding first inside the opening ten minutes in their last three ECQ home games.

The last H2H produced three goals, all of which arrived beyond the hour mark. Going back to February 1989, each of the last four H2Hs have seen both teams score in the second half. Three of Scotland’s last five ECQ matches saw them lose by 3+ goals.

Despite being under no pressure, Scotland are considered favourites, and they made the most of that status in their last ECQ fixture, thrashing San Marino 6-0. In turn, two of Scotland’s three ECQ victories in this qualification campaign have seen them win ‘to-nil’, with an equal number of goals either side of half-time. Aston Villa’s John McGinn bagged a first-half hat trick in Scotland’s most recent ECQ win. The theme of wins / losses ‘to-nil’ has also been constant in Scotland’s four ECQ away games this year. Sadly though, it has been all away losses against any team seeded higher than bottom seeds San Marino (L3 – GF 0, GA 10), for an average of 3.33 goals conceded per ECQ away match in that category.

Match Info and Live Scores.