Preview: Cyprus vs. Kosovo – prediction, team news, lineups

Cyprus will welcome Kosovo to the AEK Enviornment – George Karapatakis in Larnaca for the primary fixture of their 2022-23 UEFA Nations League marketing campaign on Thursday.

The 2 nations, who might be going through one another for the very first time, are separated by simply two locations within the FIFA world rankings, with Cyprus positioned in one hundred and fifth whereas Kosovo are ranked 107th.

Match preview

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After failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, ending fifth of their qualification group with simply 5 factors from 10 matches, Cyprus managed to keep away from relegation from League C Group 1 of the 2020-21 Nations League following a 2-0 combination victory in a playoff over Estonia in March.

The 2 nations performed out a goalless draw within the first leg in Tallinn, earlier than Cyprus gained the second leg 2-0 on dwelling soil courtesy of strikes both aspect of half time from Marinos Tzionis and Pieros Sotiriou.

Nikos Kostenoglou noticed his aspect come out on high for the simply the second time in 14 video games since he took cost in February final 12 months, and the 51-year-old might be hoping for extra success this month as they bid to make a powerful begin to the 2022-23 Nations League.

Cyprus have solely misplaced one in every of their final 5 Nations League matches and victory over Kosovo on Thursday would see them declare a 3rd successive dwelling win within the competitors.

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Kosovo completed third in League C Group 3 of the 2020-21 Nations League behind Greece and Slovenia, earlier than ending all-time low of their 2022 World Cup qualification group with solely 5 factors from eight fixtures.

The Dardanet performed out a 1-1 draw away in opposition to Greece of their ultimate group sport in November final 12 months, they usually have since prolonged their unbeaten run to a few matches after claiming spectacular leads to pleasant encounters in opposition to Burkina Faso and Switzerland in March.

Kosovo claimed their joint-biggest victory since turning into a member of FIFA in 2016 once they beat Burkina Faso 5-0 on dwelling soil, earlier than securing a 1-1 draw away in opposition to Switzerland.

Alain Giresse‘s males now flip their consideration again to the Nations League they usually head into Thursday’s journey to Larnaca in good goalscoring type away from dwelling, as they’ve discovered the web in 16 of their final 20 worldwide video games on the street. Solely 5 of those matches, nonetheless, noticed Kosovo come away with a victory.

Cyprus Nations League type:

Cyprus type (all competitions):

Kosovo Nations League type:

Kosovo type (all competitions):

Crew Information

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Cypriot midfielders Chambos Kyriakou and Alex Gogic each began alongside Nikolas Panayiotou at centre-back within the two-legged tie with Estonia three months in the past, and all three gamers might maintain their locations on Thursday.

Sporting Kansas Metropolis’s Tzionis, who scored his first worldwide aim final day trip, might be hoping to retain his place in assault alongside Sotiriou, although skilled striker Demetris Christofi will even be pushing to begin.

As for Kosovo, Giresse is unlikely to make too many modifications, if any, to the aspect which drew with Switzerland earlier this 12 months.

Napoli’s Amir Rrahmani is ready to captain the aspect at centre-back alongside both Mirlind Kryeziu or Fidan Aliti, shielding goalkeeper Arijanet Muric between the sticks.

Vedat Muriqi, who’s the nation’s all-time main scorer with 18 strikes to his title, is anticipated to steer the road, and he might be supported in assault by Milot Rashica and Zymer Bytyqi.

Cyprus potential beginning lineup:
Michail; Kyriakou, Gogic, Panagiotou; Antoniou, Kastanos, Avraam, Artymatas, Ioannou; Sotiriou, Tzionis

Kosovo potential beginning lineup:
Muric; Hadergjonaj, Rrahmani, Aliti, Vojvoda; Berisha, Loshaj, Idrizi; Rashica, Muriqi, Bytyqi

We are saying: Cyprus 1-2 Kosovo

There’s little to separate these two nations, although Kosovo’s current outcomes in opposition to Greece, Burkina Faso and Switzerland counsel that they’re the slight favourites for this contest.

Each side will view this fixture as a winnable sport, however we are able to see the guests edging this encounter in Larnaca.

For information evaluation of the probably outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.

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