Bitesize Prediction: Cyprus vs Norway – 12/10/23

Competition: European Championship qualifiers

Market: Norway win

Odds: 1/3 @ BetUS

Facing what is a crucial qualifying showdown on Thursday night, Norway will travel to Larnaca when they meet Cyprus.

Starting with the hosts, last seen signing off September’s international break with another nightmare display as they slumped to a routine 6-0 drumming at the hands of Spain, Cyprus find themselves in the midst of another public qualifying nightmare. Sat rock-bottom of the Group E table and limping their way to the wooden spoon, Temur Ketsbaia’s side are yet to muster a single point from any of their first five qualifying appearances. With their extended crisis underlined by a 3-0 defeat against a high-flying Scotland last month, Cyprus have continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues. In fact, along with opening their Group E campaign with another 3-0 loss against the Tartan Army on March 25th, the Blues have shipped a staggering 17 strikes in their five qualifying showdowns. Failing to claim a single competitive win across any competition over the past 13 months, Cyprus should be bracing themselves for a stern examination here.

As for the visitors, now facing a straight shootout with former world champions Spain in their bid to punch a top-two finish in Group E, Norway will know that they face another must-win showdown here. Last seen signing off September’s international break with a lively 2-1 win against Georgia, Stale Solbakken’s men have won each of their last three appearances across all competitions and they should be smelling a golden chance to lay down a marker on foreign soil. Landing a routine 3-1 win when they welcomed Cyprus to Oslo back on June 20th, Norway will be excited by a stunning rampant record against their Group E rivals. In fact, Solbakken’s side have won all of their previous 11 meetings against the Eagles – a run that stems back to their first meeting in November 1988. With the record-breaking Erling Haaland set to spearhead their charge in Larnaca on Thursday night, we are backing an away victory here.

Bet: Norway 1/3 to beat Cyprus in Thursday’s EURO 24 qualifying battle @ BetUS