Preview: Cyprus vs. Scotland - prediction, team news, lineups

Steve Clarke's side are currently top of the section on 12 points, while Cyprus are bottom, having suffered three defeats from their opening three matches in the qualification process.

Match preview

Cyprus have never qualified for the finals of a World Cup or European Championship, so it was always going to be a major ask for them to make an impression in what is a very competitive Group A.

Temur Ketsbaia's side opened their campaign with a 3-0 defeat away to Scotland on March 25, before suffering a 2-1 home loss to Georgia in their second match in the section.

Cyprus were beaten 3-1 by Norway last time out, meanwhile, which has left them bottom of the section on zero points, scoring just twice and conceding eight.

Ketsbaia's team have not actually won a competitive match for almost a year, which is a concern, but they did hold Armenia to a 2-2 draw in their last friendly encounter at the end of March.

Cyprus have lost all eight of their previous games against Scotland, including the 3-0 defeat in the reverse match back in March, when Scott McTominay netted a double for Clarke's side.

Scotland were present at Euro 2020 but failed to make an impression, being eliminated in the group stage of the competition, collecting just a single point in the process.

The Scots did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, but they are in a strong position to secure a position at next summer's European Championship, having made a flying start in Group A.

As mentioned, Clarke's side recorded a 3-0 win over Cyprus in their opener before their standout result occurred three days later, beating former world champions Spain 2-0.

Scotland built on the two-goal success over La Roja, recording wins over Norway and Georgia in their next two to move onto 12 points, which has left them comfortably at the head of the group, eight points clear of second-placed Georgia, who have a game in hand.

Clarke's team will not be taking anything for granted in the section, but a win on Friday would leave them in an excellent position in the group ahead of a friendly against England next week.

Cyprus Euro Champ Qualifying form:

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Cyprus form (all competitions):

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W

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D

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L

Scotland Euro Champ Qualifying form:

W

W

W

W

Scotland form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

W

W

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Team News

Pieros Sotiriou is the leading goalscorer in the Cyprus squad with 12, and the 30-year-old is expected to operate at the tip of the home side's attack in this contest.

Joel Mall is likely to earn just his third cap between the sticks, while Anderson Correia and Minas Antoniou are expected to feature as the wing-backs for Cyprus on Friday night.

Grigoris Kastanos plays his club football for Salneritana in Italy, and the 25-year-old should earn his 47th cap in midfield, while Charalambos Charalambous is also set to retain his spot in the side.

As for Scotland, there are not expected to be any major surprises when it comes to their side, with the likes of Kieran Tierney, Andrew Robertson, McTominay and John McGinn all set to start.

McGinn should play in an advanced area alongside Lyndon Dykes, who has found the back of the net on nine occasions for his country.

Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous should continue at the back for Clarke's side, while Callum McGregor and Billy Gilmour are set to retain their positions in the middle of midfield.

Cyprus possible starting lineup:

Mall; Antoniou, Gogic, Laifis, Ioannou, Correia; Charalampous, Kousoulos, Kastanos, Kyriakou; Sotiriou

Scotland possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Hickey, Porteous, Hendry, Tierney, Robertson; McTominay, Gilmour, McGregor; McGinn, Dykes

We say: Cyprus 1-2 Scotland

Cyprus are capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Scotland, and we are backing the hosts to score, as they have talented players in the final third of the field. Clarke's side are on a roll at the moment, though, and we are expecting them to navigate their way to all three points.

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