Russia vs Cyprus Match analysis and Prediction

2 years ago 383

Russia will be looking to seal their top position in Group H when they welcome the worst side in the group Cyprus to Gazprom Arena on Thursday evening with kickoff at 20:00.

Russia have made an impressive and strong World Cup qualifying campaign as they have claimed six wins, one draw and one defeat in their eight matches to collect 19 points, which have left them occupying the top spot in Group H two points above second-placed Croatia.

Already four teams in this group have been mathematically eliminated from the World Cup qualification race and now it’s just between Russia and Croatia who will battling for the automatic qualification and with only two points separating the two, means that both will aiming for wins in this ninth group round before meeting in the final qualifying match.

However, a win for Russia in this fixture means that even a draw in their next match will see them automatically qualify for the 2022 World Cup edition in Qatar and as such Russia will go all guns blazing in this match knowing what is at stake.

The Russians will fancy their chances in this match as they are in a good form having lost none of their last five qualifying matches with a four-match winning streak and are coming off a 2-1 away win against Slovenia, also Russia recorded a 2-0 win against Cyprus in the reverse fixture.

Meanwhile, Cyprus are among the already mathematically disqualified sides in Group H as they are stuck at the bottom of the group standings level on five points with fellow group whipping boys Malta who occupy the fifth spot.

Cyprus have won only one of their eight group matches picking up two draws and have suffered five defeats in the process. The side has been struggling at both ends on pitch having only scored three goals while conceding 13 in the eight matches.

The visitors are in a really poor form having not won in 19 of their last 21 matches across all competitions and are coming off a 2-2 draw with Malta in the last qualifying fixture. Prior to the draw Cyprus were on a six-match losing run and are on a seven-match losing streak on the road and we expect match to be a routine win for the Russians.