Scotland v Cyprus tips: Euro 2024 qualifying best bets and preview

Football betting tips: Euro 2024 qualifying

1.5pts Scotland to win to nil at 5/6 (Betfair, Paddy Power)

Scotland responded well to their World Cup qualification heartbreak with an emphatic Nations League campaign.

The Tartan Army were beaten by Ukraine in the semi final stage of the play-offs, failing to reach Qatar, but Steve Clarke’s side bounced back to win four of their six Nations League games, only tasting defeat once, scoring 11 goals in the process and keeping three clean sheets.

Interestingly, all bar one of the 11 that started against England at Wembley two years ago have been named in Clarke’s squad for the two upcoming games.

There are some qualms about some of his selections' lack of playing time though.

Liam Kelly has only featured in 61 minutes of domestic action all season, Billy Gilmour has played 163 minutes in the Premier League. Kieran Tierney has only made one start this calendar year and it is a similar story for Jack Hendry, plying his trade in Belgium and Italy.

Scott McTominay has only seven league starts under his belt, forced out by Casemiro and co at Old Trafford.

This could see a rusty performance at Hampden Park.

Nevertheless, the hosts are 1/4 favourites to prevail against Cyprus, fair odds considering the visitors are ranked 110th in the world.

Clarke’s side made light work of Armenia recently, who are the 95th best footballing nation in the world according to FIFA, beating them by an aggregate score of 6-1 across two games.

Clarke’s success with the national team has been built on a solid defensive foundation, so at 5/6 SCOTLAND TO WIN TO NIL is the play here.

In their Nations League campaign, Cyprus only found the net in a third of their two games. In their World Cup qualifiers, their goals came against Malta and Slovenia, though it is worth noting Malta beat them 3-0 in the reverse.

All things considered, this should be relatively routine fixture for Scotland.

Scotland v Cyprus best bets and score prediction

• 1.5pts Scotland to win to nil at 5/6 (Betfair, Paddy Power)

Score prediction: Scotland 2-0 Cyprus (Sky Bet odds: 9/2)

Odds correct at 1400 GMT (22/03/23)

• Fixtures, results and live scores
• Expert xG analysis and features
• Transfer news and done deals
• Football and other sports tips
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.