Norway will travel to Cyprus as they hope to boost their Euro 2024 qualifying hopes. The visitors are looking to extend their winning streak in all competitions to four games. The hosts are still seeking their first victory of 2023.
Preview (Cyprus vs. Norway)
Cyprus finished with 10 points from as many games in the Euro 2020 qualification. They have subsequently managed just one point in their first five Euro 2024 qualifiers. They have played one of just six European countries without a point. At this point in the qualifying process, only European minnows San Marino (21) and Liechtenstein (19) have allowed more goals than Cyprus (17). Temur Ketsbaia’s team is all but certain to miss out on qualifying for yet another big event.
The fact that Ketsbaia’s team, who are currently 120th in the world according to FIFA, has avoided defeat in four of their past seven home games across all competitions, including triumphs against Estonia and Greece in the UEFA Nations League last year, is a modest plus going into Thursday’s meeting. Norway had a challenging start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. They only earned one point from their first three Group A games. They drew 1-1 with Georgia in between losses to Spain and Scotland.
The Lions, are currently tied for second place in the standings and are ranked 43rd globally by FIFA. They have defeated Georgia twice in a row. They most recently won 2-1 last month on the strength of goals from Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. Between these two games, the Lions also defeated Georgia 6-0 in a friendly. Stale Solbakken’s team, is presently third in Group A and two points behind second-placed Spain. They have benefited from Norway’s three-game winning streak. On Sunday, the Lions will play Spain at home in what might be a crucial matchup.
The Scandinavian team is attempting to reach the European Championship for the first time since 2000. They have defeated Cyprus in all 11 of their prior encounters, scoring three goals seven times. It included a 3-1 home victory in June. However, Norway’s road performance could use some improvement since they have only won three of their previous eight away games in all competitions and only two of their previous nine away games in Euro qualifying.
Team News
Hector Kyprianou of Peterborough United has received his first senior call-up to the Cyprus team this month, and the 22-year-old will face competition for a spot in center-midfield from Charalambos Kyriakou, Ioannis Kousoulos, and Michalis Ioannou. Pieros Sotiriou is scheduled to receive his 60th international call-up. If he scores on Thursday, he will move into third place among all scorers in the country’s history with 13 goals.
While star striker Haaland of Manchester City is expected to lead the line and is only seven goals behind Norway’s all-time leading scorer Jorgen Juve, who played from 1928 to 1937, Alexander Sorloth will be pushing to make his 50th international appearance, but that may have to come from the bench of substitutes. Oscar Bobb, a teammate of Haaland’s from Club Brugge, is vying for a starting spot on the left wing and might win his first senior cap in attack. He will likely compete with Club Brugge teen Antonio Nusa, who made his international debut last month. In order to maintain their chances of finishing in the top two spots in Group A, Norway can ill-afford to surrender points, but we believe the visitors will have few difficulties winning easily in Larnaca.
Cyprus 0 – 3 Norway
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