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Preview: Cyprus vs. Spain – Team news and Prediction
Spain has qualified for Euro 2024 but is competing with Scotland for the top spot in the group.
On paper, there isn't much at stake in this match as Spain has already qualified for Euro 2024, and Cyprus is guaranteed to finish last in the group. However, there is some prestige and self-recognition involved. Spain is battling with Scotland for the top spot, while Cyprus, with 0 points, is experiencing a historically poor defensive performance, having conceded 25 goals. San Marino has conceded 26 goals, and it would be almost embarrassing for Cyprus to end up being the team that has conceded the most goals in the qualification. Spain has a better goal difference than Scotland, and with a victory in Cyprus, they are almost assured of finishing 1st in the group.
Cyprus current form in all competitions:
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Spain’s current form in all competitions:
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Team news:
Pieros Sotiriou and Demetris Christofi are surprisingly not part of the Cyprus squad. There have been no reports of injuries, so the reason for their omission is unclear. As a result, 20-year-old Loizos Loizou from Omonia Nicosia is the striker who will play and demonstrate that he is the future player in that position.
De La Fuente has not selected several key players, and Spain will have to do without Aymeric Laporte, Kepa, Alejandro Balde, Marco Asensio, Ansu Fati, and Pedri—all players who are either injured or on their way back from injury. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how Spain lines up, as several new names are in contention.
Cyprus expected lineup:
Panagi; Andreou, Karo, Kyprianou, Gogic, Ioannou; Kyriakou, Charalampous, Kousoulos; Loizou, Kastanos
Spain expected lineup:
Simon; Carvajal, Torres, Le Normand, Grimaldo; Merino, Rodri, Gavi; Yamal, Morata, Oyarzabal
Prediction:
There is too much of a quality difference between the two teams to expect a surprise. Cyprus will still have 0 points after this match and considering that Spain can play relatively freely since they are assured further participation, we believe they will deliver a performance where they outplay Cyprus. Therefore, we recommend looking at Spain with a -3 handicap at odds 2.10, meaning we believe Spain will win by 4 goals or more.
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