Cyprus vs Scotland tips: Betting preview and predictions with best odds & free bets
Cyprus vs Scotland tips:
Scotland can take another step towards Euro 2024 qualification with an away win over Cyprus on Friday night (7.45pm, Viaplay Sports 1), with Steve Clarke’s team in excellent form.
Four wins from four qualifiers have put Scotland top of Group A and a fifth straight victory would put them on the brink of qualifying for next summer’s tournament in Germany.
Clarke has selected a strong squad for the matches against Cyprus and England with the majority of Scotland’s best players fit for the double-header.
As such, football betting sites have priced Scotland as the strong favourite to keep their winning run going in Larnaca.
John McGinn to be Scotland’s main man again
John McGinn has long been a talisman for Scotland, with the Aston Villa midfielder seventh in the country’s all-time scoring list. Indeed, Clarke has harnessed McGinn’s attacking instincts.
Che Adams will likely start as Scotland’s centre forward against Cyprus and while the Southampton striker is proven at international level, his scoring record (five goals in 23 caps) leaves much to be desired.
To compensate for this, Clarke gives his midfielders freedom to get forward and McGinn will be a key threat for Scotland as they continue their Euro 2024 qualification campaign.
Scott McTominay has benefitted from this - scoring five goals in four qualifying games so far - but there’s no guarantee that the Manchester United midfielder will start against Cyprus. McGinn, however, is nailed on to feature on the team sheet.
The Villa man is in good form for his club at present, with the 28-year-old demonstrating his scoring touch in a 4-0 win over Everton in the second match of the season. He looks sharp and will be central to Scotland’s game plan.
Scotland can keep it tight at the back
Scotland boast a 100% record in previous matches against Cyprus, having won all eight fixtures over the Mediterranean nation. This bodes well for them ahead of Friday’s meeting in Larnaca.
Defensively, Scotland have looked solid through Euro 2024 qualifying to date with Clarke’s team keeping three clean sheets in four matches - including one against Cyprus at Hampden Park in March.
Clarke will set up his team in a back three with Kieran Tierney occupying the left side while Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous fill the other two places in the backline. It’s a selection that has worked well for Scotland.
Cyprus have scored in all but one of their four Euro 2024 qualifiers so far, but they might struggle to make a dent against a strong Scottish defence. They’ve already kept a clean sheet against Cyprus once and can do it again on Friday evening.
Second half key for visitors
Six of the nine goals Scotland have scored in Euro 2024 qualification to date have come in the second half of matches. Indeed, Clarke’s team have a habit of growing into games.
Friday’s match could be a cagey encounter just as the meeting between the two teams in March was, but Scotland have the quality to grind down their opponents. The second half could be key for the visitors.
Clarke certainly has greater squad depth to change the match should he need to - see how Kenny McLean came off the bench to score a late winner away to Norway.
Adams is expected to start as Scotland’s first-choice centre forward, but Lyndon Dykes is another attacking option who could make an impact in the latter stages of the match. The Queens Park Rangers striker has made a habit of this for his country.
