Cyprus vs Latvia Preview
Cyprus have improved in the Nations League and secured a confidence-boosting win over Armenia last time out. Latvia are bottom of Group C2, struggling for form, and the White and Blues can take advantage with a home triumph.
White & Blues on a 2 Match Winning Run
- Cyprus have won their last 2 home games.
- Cyprus have won 2 of their last 3 home matches against Latvia.
- Latvia have lost 3 of their last 4 games.
H2H - Cyprus Undefeated
Cyprus have a 2-0 advantage against Latvia, alongside two draws.
Cyprus Growing into the Nations League Campaign
Cyprus have hit good form recently and are undefeated in five of their previous six in all competitions. They have won three matches in that spell, including two home victories.
Akis Mantzios’ team comfortably beat Liechtenstein 2-0 in a friendly before losing 2-1 against Montenegro away in the Nations League. Cyprus gained their first Group C3 point after a 0-0 draw in Latvia.
The White and Blues continued their upward momentum with a 2-0 home win against Armenia. Leonidas Konomis and Andronikos Kakoullis scored in the opening 31 minutes and allowed -1 XG.
Latvia Lacking a Threat in Group C2
Latvia’s long-term form is poor and the Baltic side have failed to win in five consecutive matches. The Wolves have scored just two goals during that period and lost three matches.
Paolo Nicolato’s outfit lost 2-0 at Armenia and drew 0-0 with Cyprus in their opening Nations League matches. Latvia had -1 XG and one shot on target across both fixtures.
The Wolves are bottom of Group C3 following a 2-1 home loss against Montenegro. Latvia allowed 2.41 XG, conceded either side of half time and Markuss Strods scored a late consolation.
Predicted Starting Lineups, Squads & Team News
Cyprus (4-2-3-1): Fabiano; Leonidas Konomis, Kyprianou Kyprianou, Nikolas Panagiotou, Giorgos Malekkidis; Panagiotis Andreou, Grigoris Kastanos; Loizos Loizou, Marcus Edwards, Andronikos Kakoullis; Ioannis Pittas
Full-back Kostas Pileas was sent off in the Armenia match and won’t feature here.
Goalkeepers: Fabiano, Joel Mall, Neofytos Michail, Andreas Paraskevas
Defenders: Kostas Pileas, Nikolas Panagiotou, Evagoras Antoniou, Andreas Shikkis, Giorgos Malekkidis, Leonidas Konomis, Konstantinos Laifis, Christos Sielis, Konstantinos Sotiriou, Nick Tsaroulla
Midfielders: Hector Kyprianou, Charalampos Kyriakou, Ioannis Kosti, Panagiotis Andreou, Andreas Christou, Kostakis Artymatas, Grigoris Kastanos
Forwards: Angelos Neophytou, Ioannis Pittas, Loizos Loizou, Andronikos Kakoullis, Stavros Georgiou, Marinos Tzionis, Marcus Edwards
Latvia (5-4-1): Rihards Matrevics; Raivis Jurkovskis, Deniss Melniks, Antonijs Cernomordijs, Oskars Vientiess, Dennis Cirkin; Danila Patijcuks, Lukass Vapne, Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Andrejs Ciganiks; Roberts Uldrikis
Midfielder Roberts Savaļnieks was subbed off with an injury against Montenegro and is an injury doubt.
Goalkeepers: Nils Purins, Frenks Orols, Rihards Matrevics
Defenders: Daniels Balodis, Dennis Cirkin, Oskars Vientiess, Antonijs Cernomordijs, Roberts Savaļnieks, Raivis Jurkovskis, Andrejs Ciganiks, Maksims Tonisevs, Deniss Melniks, Oskars Rubenis
Midfielders: Eduards Emsis, Lukass Vapne, Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Kristers Cudars, Markuss Strods, Aleksejs Saveļjevs, Kristaps Grabovskis, Glebs Zaleiko
Forwards: Danila Patijcuks, Eduards Daskevics, Vladislavs Gutkovskis, Alberts Aleksanjans, Roberts Uldrikis, Janis Ikaunieks