Cyprus vs Belgium Predictions

This Sunday’s clash in Nicosia features two sides who made winning starts to their Euro 2020 qualifying campaigns. Belgium are the clear favourites to win Group I while Cyprus are hoping to spring a surprise and push themselves into the qualification picture. A shock win here would be a huge step in the right direction.

Cyprus have been trying to qualify for major tournaments since 1962 but are yet to make one. The recently expanded Euros certainly increases their chances but they only won 1 of their 6 Nations League games so they missed out on a guaranteed play-off place. They started this campaign with a 5-0 win at home to minnows San Marino on Thursday but this will clearly be a huge step up in class.

Belgium’s campaign commenced with a 3-1 win over Russia in Brussels. It could have been a tricky game against the 2018 World Cup quarter-finalists with some key men absent but the Red Devils sealed victory with Eden Hazard scoring twice. It’s very hard to see any situation where Belgium don’t qualify from this group but Roberto Martinez will be keen to avoid any slip-ups here.

This promises to be relatively open and goals look likely. Belgium do leave themselves exposed at times. The likes of Japan and Tunisia scored twice against them at the World Cup and both teams have scored in 4 of their last 5 internationals, a sequence that included a humiliating 5-2 Nations League defeat in Switzerland.

They are also a bit light on central midfield options here. Mousa Dembélé, Alex Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne are all out injured and that could just give Cyprus some kind of foothold in this game. Cyprus have only failed to score in 1 of their last 6 matches and they’ve only lost 2 of their last 10 at home overall.

It’s still hard to see them avoiding defeat here as their defence will struggle to deal with the likes of Eden Hazard but there is reason to fancy the hosts to get on the scoresheet. In truth attack may be the best form of defence for Cyprus against this talented Belgian outfit.

As a result, backing Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score could be the way to go while backing Belgium & Both Teams to Score may also be worth a punt at pretty long odds.