Sports Mole previews Saturday's Nations League clash between Cyprus and Romania, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Looking for third win in a row UEFA Nations League competition, Romania Travel to Larnaca to face Cyprus Saturday night at the AEK Arena.
While the audience is seated above League C Group 2 With a maximum of six points from the opening two games, the hosts are three points back in third place.
Competition preview
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Cyprus opened the new campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Lithuania last month to avoid entering a relegation playoff after picking up five points from six matches in the previous Nations League campaign.
However, the Cypriots were brought back to earth a few days later when they were put to the sword by Kosovo 4-0 at home, and the head coach Temur is Gadsby He was consequently relieved of his duties.
Sophronis Avgosti He was appointed as Cyprus' new boss after Karmiotissa decided to step down and was in the dugout for four competitive matches in July.
Avgousti, described by the Cyprus Football Association as “the most successful Cypriot coach in recent years”, will be eager to lead his new side to their first win over Romania since March 2010.
However, Cyprus – ranked 123rd in the world by FIFA – have lost each of their last five competitive home matches by an aggregate score of 16-1 and have scored six goals in their first two wins against Romania on Saturday. League of Nations.
Two months after losing 3-0 to the Netherlands in the last 16 of Euro 2024, Romania beat Kosovo 3-0 in their Nations League opener before beating Lithuania 3-1 at home. 87th and 92nd minutes to score maximum points.
Indeed, Romania has a lot to smile about from the 79-year-old head coach Mircea Lucescu changed Edward Ierdanescu In the summer, he returned to managing the national team, taking over after 38 years.
The Tricolore, ranked 45th in the world by FIFA, are unbeaten in all their last seven qualifiers away from home and can strengthen their grip on top spot with a win over Cyprus in League C Group 2. Lithuania next Tuesday.
Cyprus Nations League Format:
Cyprus Format (All Matches):
Romania Nations League Format:
Romania Format (All Matches):
Group messages
© Imago
Cypriot attacker Ioannis Pittas He has been a standout performer at club level with Swedish side AIK in 2024, scoring 14 goals in 26 league games and is expected to lead the line this weekend. Marinos Sionis And one Pyrrhus Soterio Or Grigoris Kastanos Provides support in the final third.
Andreas do, Alex Kojic And Hector Gibriano All set to continue in a three-man defense protecting the goalkeeper Joel Mallwith Minas Antonio And Nicholas Ionov In a match that starts as wing-backs.
For Romania, FCSB midfielder Adrian Sat Out of the team due to injury, but the goalkeeper Horatio Moldovan After returning to full fitness he was selected and ready to fight alongside Florine Nita For a start between the sticks.
Raswan Marin Has scored two penalties in as many Nations League matches and is expected to continue in midfield. Nicholas Stanciu, Denis Dragus and Tottenham Hotspurs Radu Dragusin Ready to retain their places in the first XI.
Cyprus Probable Starting Lineup:
the mall? Garo, Kojic, Gibriano; Antoniou, Kastanos, Kousoulos, Ioannou; Zionis? Soterio, Pitas
Romania Probable Starting Lineup:
Rivet; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu; Mann, Dragus, Mihaila
We say: Cyprus 0-2 Romania
Romania have made an impressive start to life under Lucescu, they were expected to win against the opposition and will be considered favorites to go top once again this weekend.
Cyprus have struggled defensively for some time, keeping two clean sheets in their last 19 internationals, and it's hard to imagine the hosts keeping the tricolor quiet on this occasion.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
