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

Spain, Norway and Georgia make up the remainder of Group A, heaping the pressure on the two sides to impress at Hampden Park.

Match preview

After missing out in the World Cup playoffs, Steve Clarke has had to work hard to keep the belief in this Scotland squad, particularly when a 3-0 defeat in Republic of Ireland followed soon afterwards.

However, the Tartan Army bounced back in some style, reeling off three successive wins before earning a potentially-pivotal goalless draw versus Ukraine on neutral territory to top their UEFA Nations League group.

As a result, Scotland guaranteed themselves a spot in the playoffs, regardless of how their fare in Group A, and being provided with a immensely difficult group has proven how important that stalemate versus Ukraine could be further down the line.

For now, though, Clarke wants Scotland to focus on trying to upset the odds during qualifying, and it is imperative that they get off to the perfect start against Cyprus.

That would make up for ending 2022 with a 2-1 defeat to Turkey in a friendly, with Scotland requiring some momentum ahead of the showdown with Spain next week.

From the perspective of Cyprus, they are aware that they are up against it to not finish bottom of this group, with Georgia having made rapid strides over the past two years.

Nevertheless, this is still a new era under Temur Ketsbaia, who was appointed at the end of June, and his early fixtures produced two eye-catching results.

A 1-0 Nations League win over Greece was followed by a 3-2 triumph over Israel in a friendly on away territory at the end of the year, and the belief will be there that they can push Scotland all the way at the weekend.

In all fixtures during 2023, Cyprus lost on just four occasions, while they only went down by 2-1 scorelines versus Scotland when they met in the qualifiers for Euro 2020.

Scotland form (all competitions):

L

W

W

W

D

L

Cyprus form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

W

Team News

With none of the goalkeepers having a senior international cap between them, Angus Gunn appears most likely to be named between the sticks.

Grant Hanley and Ryan Porteous could get the nod in the centre of defence, but the midfield and attack may pick itself providing that everyone is fit.

Che Adams is expected to get the nod over Lyndon Dykes, who has recently shaken off pneumonia to feature of three occasions for Queens Park Rangers.

Ketsbaia must decide whether to go with a back four or five, Cyprus having enjoyed success with both options since his appointment.

Alex Gogic, who represents Scottish side St Mirren, may have to make do with a spot among the replacements, but veteran Demetris Christofi could feature down the middle of the attack with Pieros Sotiriou not present in the squad.

Scotland possible starting lineup:

Gunn; Hickey, Hanley, Porteous, Robertson; McTominay, McGregor; Armstrong, McGinn, Christie; Adams

Cyprus possible starting lineup:

Panagi; Antoniou, Laifis, Roberge, Ioannou; Kyriakou, Kastanos, Artymatas; Loizou, Christofi, Tzionis

We say: Scotland 2-0 Cyprus

With this being the first fixture in a number of months, neither side are likely to produce their best football. Nevertheless, the better quality remains with Scotland, and it would be a surprise if the Tartan Army to not collect a necessary three points.

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