Cyprus make a trip to Kosovo on Tuesday for the final game of the UEFA Nations League campaign, with both sides hoping to avoid a spot in the relegation playoffs.
The hosts occupy second place on Group C2 and are currently one point clear of bottom-placed Cyprus ahead of the final matchday.
After picking up six points from their opening three matches, Kosovo would have been content with their start to the Nations League.
However, victories over Cyprus and Northern Ireland have been quickly forgotten following consecutive defeats that leave Kosovo at risk of finishing bottom of the group.
Following a 2-0 defeat away to Greece in June, Kosovo looked set to make sure of their League C status on Saturday when Vedat Muriqi gave his country the lead against Northern Ireland.
Unfortunately, a Gavin Whyte goal was followed by a 92nd-minute winner from Josh Magennis that condemned Alain Giresse and his side to a 2-1 defeat.
Meanwhile, Cyprus had to come throug a relegation playoff in the previous Nations League campaign to retain their League C status, and they remain at risk of being involved once again.
Although they are level on points and have an identical head-to-head record with Northern Ireland, Temur Ketsbaia’s side are currently bottom of the group due to a inferior goal difference.
Despite being in a dangerous position, Cyprus will at least be in a confident mood after defeating Greece 1-0 on Saturday to record the first win of their Nations League campaign.
An 18th-minute goal from Marinos Tzionis was enough to defeat the group winners and to have a realistic chance of avoiding the relegation playoffs. While a draw would prove enough if Northern Ireland lose to Greece, Cyprus will be looking to claim a victory that would avoid the prospect of relying on the other result.
Kosovo vs Cyprus head to head
These two nations have previously met on just one occasion in the Nations League back in June, where Kosovo claimed a 2-0 away victory.
Cyprus 0-2 Kosovo 02/06/22
Kosovo latest home form
Kosovo have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just two of their seven most recent matches. They defeated Northern Ireland 3-2 in their last home game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded seven.
Kosovo 1-2 Georgia 12/10/21
Kosovo 0-2 Jordan 10/11/21
Kosovo 5-0 Burkina Faso 24/03/22
Kosovo 0-1 Greece 05/06/22
Kosovo 3-2 Northern Ireland 09/06/22
Kosovo latest away form
Kosovo have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost each of their two most recent matches. They lost 2-1 to Northern Ireland in their last away game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded six.
Greece 1-1 Kosovo 14/11/21
Switzerland 1-1 Kosovo 29/03/22
Cyprus 0-2 Kosovo 02/06/22
Greece 2-0 Kosovo 12/06/22
Northern Ireland 2-1 Kosovo 24/09/22
Cyprus latest home form
Cyprus have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Greece 1-0 in their last home game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded four.
Cyprus 2-2 Malta 11/10/21
Cyprus 2-0 Estonia 29/03/22
Cyprus 0-2 Kosovo 02/06/22
Cyprus 0-0 Northern Ireland 05/06/22
Cyprus 1-0 Greece 24/09/22
Cyprus latest away form
Cyprus have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road and have been winless in their five most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with Northern Ireland in their last away game in the Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored three goals and conceded 13.
Russia 6-0 Cyprus 11/11/21
Slovenia 2-1 Cyprus 14/11/21
Estonia 0-0 Cyprus 24/03/22
Greece 3-0 Cyprus 09/06/22
Northern Ireland 2-2 Cyprus 12/06/22
Kosovo news
Edon Zhegrova missed out on selection through injury, while Giresse omitted Valon Berisha from his squad, but defender Amir Rrahmani could come into the starting lineup.
Miruqi scored his third goal of the Nations League campaign at the weekend, and he will provide one of the main goal threats on Tuesday.
Cyprus news
Cyprua could name an unchanhed lineup after recording their first win of the campaign on Saturday, with Valentin Roberge continuing in central defence alongside Fanos Katelaris.
Tzionis is likely to operate on the left flank, once again, in support of Pieros Sotiriou, who will lead the line for the visitors.
Prediction and Odds
Following their 1-0 victory over Greece last time out, Cyprus will feel confident of picking up a positive result from Kosovo on Tuesday.
However, they have never won away in the Nations League, and after losing 2-0 to Kosovo in the reverse fixture, we think that they will fall short once again.
Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Kosovo 1-0 Cyprus
Kosovo 2-0 Cyprus
Kosovo 2-1 Cyprus
Kosovo 0-0 Cyprus
Kosovo 1-1 Cyprus
