Two nations separated by just two places in the FIFA world rankings will face each other this Thursday when Cyprus hosts Kosovo at GSP Stadium in the UEFA Nations League campaign. Kickoffs at 19:00 EAT.
The hosts failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after finishing fifth in their qualification group with just five points from 10 matches. Cyprus managed to avoid relegation from League C Group 1 of the 2020-2021 Nations League following a 2-0 victory in a playoff over Estonia in March- the club was on the back of 10 consecutive winless games before recording the victory.
Cyprus prepare for this fixture off the back 2-0 Nations League success to beat Estonia in their most recent match. In that game, Cyprus had 36% possession, six shots with three of them on target and goals by Marinos Tzionis (19′) and Pieros Sotiriou (51′). Estonia got nine shots with only one of them on target.
On the other end, Kosovo finished third in League C Group 3 of the 2020-2021 Nations League behind Greece and Slovenia, before finishing rock bottom of their 2022 World Cup qualification group with only five points from eight fixtures. The club has displayed a couple of decent performances recently-those include a couple of drawn matches against European outfits like Switzerland and Greece.
Kosovo held each other 1-1 International Friendlies draw with Switzerland in their most recent outing. Kosovo had 41% possession, 10 shots with four of them on target and a goal scored by Milot Rashica 52’. Switzerland got 20 shots with five of them on target and a goal by Jordan Lotomba 61’.
Cyprus vs Kosovo head to head
This will be the first meeting between these two teams. Here are their last five head to head meetings:
Home
- Cyprus 2-0 Estonia
- Estonia 0-0 Cyprus
- Slovenia 2-1 Cyprus
- Russia 6-0 Cyprus
- Cyprus 2-2 Malta
Away
- Switzerland 1-1 Kosovo
- Kosovo 5-0 Burkina Faso
- Greece 1-1 Kosovo
- Kosovo 0-2 Jordan
- Kosovo 1-2 Georgia
Cyprus team news
Manager Nikos Kostenoglou side will take to the pitch with a fully fit squad.
Kosovo team news
Primož Gliha has not confirmed any fitness or suspension concerns ahead of this fixture.
Prediction and odds
Cyprus remains winless in seven of the past 10 home fixtures losing five while Kosovo has been inconsistent however unbeaten in three of their past four on road outings across all competitions.
- Kosovo Win
- Goals under 2.5
- Both teams to score (No)
