Northern Ireland travel to Cyprus in the 2022 UEFA Nations League on Sunday afternoon.
This is the second time both nations are in action in this year’s competition. They both kicked off their campaigns with disappointing defeats.
They’ll both be eyeing this game as the ideal opportunity to bounce back. They’ll have to get some points on the board in the coming days, to avoid relegation to League D.
Cyprus will be especially keen to avoid that, given that they’ve only recently secured promotion. The Cypriots beat Estonia in the finals of the promotion play off to reach League C.
They were dreaming of the perfect start to this campaign as they hosted Kosovo on Thursday. It wasn’t to be, however, and the hosts fell to a 2-0 defeat.
After a hard fought first half that ended goalless, the killer blows came after the break. Valon Berisha gave Kosovo the lead Edon Zhegrova doubled it as the hosts looked to equalise.
It was by no means a smash and grab job from the visitors. Kosovo were very much on top throughout the entire game and Cyprus didn’t manage a single shot on target.
Northern Ireland suffered an equally disappointing defeat in their opener against Greece in midweek. Despite having home advantage, they suffered a 1-0 loss.
In a close, competitive match, it took just a single goal to separate the sides. Anastasios Bakasetas’ sole strike was enough to land the three points for the visitors.
Although there’s plenty of games left to play, this already feels like a vital clash.
Below, we’ll preview this UEFA Nations League fixture and provide our predictions, the team news, our recommended bets and more…
Cyprus vs Northern Ireland Predictions
This is likely to be a very competitive game. On paper, they’re pretty evenly matched and home advantage could edge it for Cyprus here.
After losing to Greece, Northern Ireland are a wounded animal at the moment. This game will be pivotal to their campaign this month. If they lose here, they could be devoid of all confidence.
However, a win would be the perfect response from Ian Baraclough’s men. Three points on the board would be a nice tonic heading into the remaining fixtures.
The hosts’ form isn’t the best heading into this game. Out of their last five games, Cyprus have lost three, drawn one and won just one.
That one win came against Estonia, which was very much expected. You still have to go out and win those sorts of games though, so the 2-0 scoreline will boost confidence.
They weren’t expected to beat Kosovo last time out, but made it difficult for their opponents. Despite that, they still conceded two goals and their defence looks to be their achilles heel.
In their last five games, they’ve conceded 10 goals. That’s two per game on average. Six of those goals did come against Russia in November though, so don’t read too much into that stat.
For Northern Ireland, it’s their form in front of goal that needs sorting. The midweek loss to Greece was the second consecutive game in which they’d failed to score a single goal.
In their last five matches in all competitions, Northern Ireland have scored just four goals. That kind of form doesn’t inspire confidence. We’re likely to see a low-scoring affair here.
Read on for our Cyprus vs Northern Ireland predictions and best bets.
Cyprus vs Northern Ireland Head to Head
These two nations have met on six previous occasions in the past. Northern Ireland have won three, Cyprus have won one and the other two ended in a draw.
Two of Northern Ireland’s wins came all the way back in 1971, in qualifying for the 1972 Euros. The Green and White Army won the first ever meeting 3-0 in Cyprus, before winning the reverse fixture 5-0.
They met again a few years later in qualifying for the 1974 World Cup. Cyprus won the first game 1-0, but Northern Ireland got their revenge and won the return game 3-0.
The remaining two games have both been friendly internationals. The first was in 2002 and the second, the most recent clash, was in 2014. Both games ended 0-0.
Cyprus Team News – L W D L L
The hosts won’t want to take any chances and risk a defeat here. They’ll likely stick with the same XI that gave Kosovo a match in midweek. That would see Neofytos Michail start the game in goal for the home side.
Nikolas Panagiotou, Alex Gogic and Charalampos Kyriakou are expected to make up a central defensive three. Nikolas Ioannou will likely start at left wing back, with Minas Antoniou at right wing back.
Fotis Papoulis, Grigoris Kastanos and Kostakis Artymatas are expected to start in the centre of midfield. Pieros Sotiriou and Marinos Tzionis are likely to be the strike partnership up front for the hosts.
Northern Ireland Team News – L L W D W
Baraclough will have been disappointed with the manner of the defeat to Greece. He could put out the same XI to put things right here. Our Cyprus vs Northern Ireland predictions expect Bailey Peacock-Farrell to start in goal.
Daniel Ballard and the experienced Jonny Evans are likely to be the centre back pairing here for the visitors. Patrick Lane could line up at left back again, with Conor Bradley at right back.
Steven Davis will be the main man in midfield for Northern Ireland. He is likely to be supported by George Saville and Paddy McNair.
That will allow Alistair McCann the freedom to create in behind the strikers. That front line is likely to be made up of Gavin Whyte and Shayne Lavery.
Cyprus vs Northern Ireland Betting Tips
The home side are the outsiders to win this one according to the odds on offer. The traders have the hosts priced at 14/5 to win in our Cyprus vs Northern Ireland match bets.
These two nations have drawn in their last two meetings. If you think this one will end all square also, you can back the draw at 23/10.
Northern Ireland are expected to bounce back from the defeat to Greece, if the odds are to be believed. The visitors are the EVENS favourites to win this game.
We’re expecting a low scoring affair here, but Northern Ireland should be able to get the win.
Cyprus vs Northern Ireland Recommended Bets
Northern Ireland to Win @ EVENS
