Cyprus vs Kosovo Predictions

• Cyprus have lost eight of their last 11 games, only beating Estonia during that run.
• The hosts have conceded 25 goals in their last 11 outings, despite keeping back-to-back clean sheets in their Nations League relegation play-off with Estonia.
• Kosovo are unbeaten in their last three games.

New UEFA Nations League campaign gets underway

The international break brings a new edition of the UEFA Nations League, and with routes into the qualification play-offs for Euro 2024 available even to the relative minnows in League C, every match counts. Having finished third in a group containing Greece and Slovenia last campaign, Kosovo are looking to go one better, and could make a strong start when they travel to Cyprus.

Indeed, the islanders have lost eight of their last 11 games, only beating Estonia in that time after being forced into a Nations League relegation play-off against them. While Cyprus kept back-to-back clean sheets in that crucial tie, they have conceded 25 goals in their last 11 matches. While some of those contests saw them face decent opponents, a 6-0 humbling by Russia and a dire 3-0 defeat in Malta do not bode well for the upcoming campaign.

While Northern Ireland and Greece are the two strongest sides in Group 2, Kosovo will certainly be hopeful of impressing. Alain Giresse’s team, who are currently enjoying their highest-ever FIFA world ranking of 107^th, are unbeaten in their last three, including respectable draws with Greece and Switzerland. What’s more, Kosovo enjoyed strong wins over Georgia and the same Malta team which thrashed Cyprus in 2021, so deserve their tag as favourites for this encounter.

Kosovo can make perfect start

Considering Cyrpus’ woeful form – they conceded 21 goals and won just one of their 10 games during the recent World Cup qualification campaign – backing the improving visitors for victory looks prudent.

Cyprus, meanwhile, have failed to even score in eight of their last 11 games, so a 1-0 away win looks a decent correct score prediction.