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

The hosts, who occupy second place in Group C2, are currently one point clear of bottom-placed Cyprus ahead of the final matchday.

Match preview

After collecting six points from their opening three games, Kosovo would have been content with their start to the Nations League.

However, wins over Cyprus and Northern Ireland have been quickly forgotten following consecutive defeats that leave Kosovo at risk of finishing bottom of the group.

After losing 2-0 away to Greece to 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 for Alain Giresse and his players, a Gavin Whyte strike was followed by a 92nd-minute winner from Josh Magennis that condemned Kosovo to a 2-1 defeat.

As a result of Saturday's setback, Kosovo are one of three teams in Group C2 that are at risk of finishing in the relegation play-out place ahead of the final matchday.

Meanwhile, Cyprus had to come through a relegation play-out in the previous Nations League campaign to retain their League C status, and they are at risk of being involved once again.

Although Temur Ketsbaia's side are level on points and have an identical head-to-head record with Northern Ireland, they are currently bottom of the group due to a poorer goal difference.

Despite being in a precarious position, Cyprus will at least be in a confident mood after beating Greece 1-0 on Saturday to claim the first win of their Nations League campaign.

An 18th-minute strike from Marinos Tzionis proved enough to edge out the Group winners, while in the process, ensuring Cyprus that have a realistic chance of avoiding the relegation play-outs.

While a draw would be enough if Northern Ireland lose to Greece, Tuesday's visitors will be looking to clinch a victory that would avoid the prospect of relying on the other result.

Kosovo Nations League form:

W

L

W

L

L

Kosovo form (all competitions):

D

W

L

W

L

L

Cyprus Nations League form:

L

D

L

D

W

Cyprus form (all competitions):

W

L

D

L

D

W

Team News

Edon Zhegrova missed out on selection through injury, while Valon Berisha was also omitted from Giresse's squad.

After being an unused substitute for the trip to Northern Ireland, Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani could come into the starting lineup.

Muriqi scored his third goal of the Nations League campaign at the weekend, and the forward will provide one of the main goal threats for his country on Tuesday.

As for the visitors, they could name an unchanged lineup after recording their first win of the campaign on Saturday.

Valentin Roberge will continue in central defence alongside Fanos Katelaris as the pair bid to clinch consecutive clean sheets.

After becoming only the second Cypriot player to score in the current Nations League campaign, Tzionis will once again operate on the left flank in support of Pieros Sotiriou, who will lead the line for the visitors.

Kosovo possible starting lineup:

Muric; Hadergjonaj, Rrahmani, Aliti, Rrudhani; Celina, Dresevic, Muslija; Rashica, Rashani, Muriqi

Cyprus possible starting lineup:

Panagi; Andreou, Roberge, Katelaris, Ioannou; Kyriakou, Kastanos, Artymatas; Loizou, Tzionis, Sotiriou

We say: Kosovo 2-1 Cyprus

Cyprus have never won away in the UEFA Nations League, and after losing 2-0 to Kosovo in the reverse fixture, we think that they will fall to a narrow defeat on Tuesday.

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