Kosovo vs Cyprus Prediction & Tips
Kosovo are desperate to avoid a return to the bottom division of the UEFA Nations League (UNL) as the 2022/23 group stage reaches its climax. Alan Giresse’s side know that a draw will be enough to keep them clear of the relegation play-offs, but a run of three defeats in the last four matches (G1) inspires little confidence for a team that has won just two of its last seven home games (E1, P4).
The Dardanians are concerned about the fitness of captain Amir Rrahmani, who faces a late fitness test after sitting out the 2-1 loss to Northern Ireland the previous Saturday. The Napoli defender would be a great wasted tool for a team that has kept a clean sheet just once in their last ten official matches, although they can take heart from the fact that that one clean sheet came against their opponents in this clash, Cyprus, in the previous meeting between them in this group stage.
While a draw will be enough for Kosovo to avoid qualifying for that relegation play-off, the scenario is just as clear for Cyprus, who will only guarantee their safety by securing a win. However, they are full of confidence after beating Greece 1-0 on Saturday, and coach Temur Ketsbaia said, “If you can beat Greece, you can beat others too.”
That was just a fourth win in 30 matches since October 2019 for the island nation (E6, P20), which didn’t even score in 19 of those games. They also have a shocking away record at UNL, failing to pick up a single away win in the competition (E4, P5), while conceding at least two goals in half a dozen of those appearances.
Players to watch: Kosovar striker Vedat Muriqi has scored three times during UNL’s campaign, netting the first goal of the game in five of the last six matches where he has found the back of the net for both club and country. Andronikos Kakoullis, meanwhile, has lost just one of his last eight games in which he has scored for club or country.
Key Fact: Having beaten Greece the previous weekend, Cyprus is looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time since October 2019.
Kosovo – Cyprus FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
