Scotland Vs Cyprus Tips
Cyprus v Scotland Betting Tips
Scotland are on course to qualify for next summer’s Euro 2024 and can move within touching distance when they visit Cyprus on Friday.
The hosts are rock bottom of Group A after losing their first three games while Steve Clarke’s side are riding high in first place after winning all of their opening four qualifiers.
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Tip 1 - Scotland and under 3.5 goals @ 22/25
It was a rainy afternoon in Glasgow when Scotland beat Cyprus 3-0 in March and the conditions could have an even bigger say in the return fixture.
Temperatures are expected to reach 38 degrees on the day of the match, and while they may have subdued somewhat by the time kick-off comes around, it will still be a sweltering clash.
The heat could slow down the pace of the game and lead to a lower-scoring affair than expected.
Cyprus have conceded eight goals in their three defeats and a 2-1 home loss at the hands of Georgia in June was a hammer blow to their chances of qualification.
The hosts have shown little in this group and look likely to fall to another defeat in this clash.
However Scotland know that realistically they need only the three points to move closer to qualification, with goal difference unlikely to be a factor in the section.
The combination of the conditions and Cyprus being unlikely to cause the visitors too many issues, means Scotland to win and under 3.5 goals is the pick.
Tip 2 - John McGinn to score anytime @ 2/1
John McGinn has been playing as part of a two-man strike partnership for his country recently.
Steve Clarke’s preference for a 3-5-2 system and the imbalance of Scotland’s squad, which has plenty of quality central midfielders but lacks top-level forwards, has freed the Aston Villa man up for a more attacking role.
The 28-year-old has already opened his account in the Premier League and has 16 goals for the Tartan Army in 56 games.
McGinn will be a major part of any attacking success the visitors have and is a tempting price to get on the scoresheet.
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Tip 3 - Over 7.5 Scotland corners @ 13/8
This Euro 2024 qualifying campaign for Scotland has been typified by a ruthlessness against teams they have been expected to beat.
Steve Clarke’s side have seen off Cyprus and Georgia by an aggregate score of 5-0, conceding just two shots on target across those games.
The Tartan Army have also racked up the corner count in those two games, another sign of a dominant team.
The table toppers managed at least eight corners in both matches and are fancied to make it three from three in this return fixture against Cyprus.
Clarke’s men have plenty of aerial threat and could also be looking at set pieces as a route to exploit their hosts so take them to have over 7.5 corners.
Odds Correct at Time of Publication
WHAT DID WE TIP LAST TIME OUT?
After missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Scotland quickly switched their focus to reaching Euro 2024 and they will be hoping to kick-start their qualifying campaign on Saturday against Cyprus.
In a Euro 2024 qualifying group that also includes the likes of Spain, Norway and Georgia, Scotland can’t really afford any mistakes in this opening game at Hampden Park.
Cyprus have made life tricky for the Scots in the past and the hosts will need to be on their mettle to make sure they come away with the spoils this weekend.
Tip 1: Scotland to win and both teams to score @ 47/20
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has enjoyed some memorable moments in his time as the national coach, with the highlight being qualification for the last European Championships which took place in 2021.
Since then it was disappointing for the Tartan Army to miss out on the World Cup Qatar over the winter but there have been positive signs that they can work their way back to another major tournament.
Scotland’s home form in the Nations League has been strong as they get set to welcome Cyprus to Hampden this weekend.
The Scots have won all of their last three games at Hampden, beating the likes of Armenia, Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland.
Scotland have now only lost two of their last 17 outings on home soil and Clarke’s side are understandably the firm favourites at 1/5 in the betting to claim the three points this weekend against Cyprus.
The Scots’ defence is far from watertight with just the two clean sheets in their last six outings and the visitors might well have their moments in the contest on Saturday.
With that in mind, a Scotland victory on home soil and both teams to get on the scoresheet in an exciting game is available at 47/20.
Tip 2: Over 2.5 Total Goals @ 4/6
With Scotland’s improvements in the final third and their shortcomings at times at the back, goals might well be on the cards in this one.
The likes of Southampton’s Che Adams and Queens Park Rangers forward Lyndon Dykes have offered Scotland more firepower in their most recent outings and they will be ones to look out for on Saturday.
Over 2.5 total goals in a game would have landed in five of Scotland’s last six matches, while 13 goals were scored over Cyprus' last three outings.
The Cypriots most recent match was back in November last year when they earned a 3-2 win on the road against Israel at HaMoshava Stadium.
Expect Cyprus to create chances in this encounter and over 2.5 total goals in this game on Saturday comes in at 4/6.
Tip 3: Scotland to win 2-1 @ 8.50/1
When it comes to the last four meetings between these nations, the scorelines have all finished 2-1 in Scotland’s favour.
A repeat of that scoreline is not beyond the realms of possibility and Scotland to come out on top 2-1 this weekend in Glasgow is available at 8.50/1.