Cyprus and Latvia are set to clash at the AEK Arena in Larnaca on Thursday in an international friendly, as both teams aim to bounce back from disappointing campaigns.
Hosts Cyprus endured a dismal Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, losing all eight of their matches and finishing at the bottom of Group A without a single point. However, with the upcoming 2024-25 UEFA Nations League on the horizon, Cyprus is eager to turn things around and begin preparations with a series of friendlies, starting with Latvia.
Head coach Temur Ketsbaia has named a 25-man squad for this month's fixtures, including Omonia Nicosia forward Andronikos Kakoulis, as Cyprus looks to rejuvenate its squad and build momentum.
Latvia , on the other hand, also struggled in their Euro qualifying campaign, managing just one win against Armenia. They finished at the bottom of Group D with three points from eight games. Head coach Paolo Nicolato has announced a 26-man squad for the upcoming friendlies, including key forward Vladislavs Gutkovskis.
In terms of head-to-head encounters, Cyprus and Latvia have only met twice in history, with Cyprus emerging victorious on both occasions.
Key Numbers:
- Latvia has lost their last three international games without scoring a goal.
- Cyprus ended a nine-game winless streak by defeating Lithuania 1-0 in a friendly in November.
- Cyprus is ranked 125th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Latvia is in the 136th position.
Prediction:
With home advantage on their side, Cyprus is favored to continue their winning streak against Latvia. A narrow victory for Cyprus seems likely in this encounter.
Predicted Score: Cyprus 2-0 Latvia
Betting Tips
1. Result: Cyprus to win
2. Goals Over/Under 2.5: Under 2.5
3. Both Teams to Score: No
Don't miss the action as Cyprus takes on Latvia in this intriguing international friendly clash. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as these two teams battle it out on the pitch.