Romania vs Cyprus Prediction & Betting Tips (18 November)

After being relegated to League C of the Nations League during the last edition in 2022, Romania demonstrated that it had nothing to do there and that its place was at the upper level. It must be said that the Tricolores did not detail in this group by winning quite clearly against Kosovo 0-3 and Lithuania 3-1 in September , then against Cyprus 0-3 and again Lithuania 1 -2 last month. Last week, the Romanians had the opportunity to definitively seal their first place by challenging Kosovo. But the match was finally stopped shortly before the final whistle following anti-Kosovar chants from the stands while the score was still goalless. Consequently, the gap between the two teams is still 3 points before the authorities decide the fate of the match.

Unlike their evening opponent, Cyprus clearly does not have the level to hope to climb to the next level in this League of Nations. This small island selection did not start this campaign too badly, however, winning a narrow victory against Lithuania 0-1 last September. Unfortunately for them, the Cypriots then experienced much more delicate moments by chaining 3 losses in a row against Kosovo 0-4, Romania 0-3 and again against Kosovo 3-0 . On Friday, they were still able to validate their place in the play-off by once again dominating Lithuania with whom they were fighting not to immediately go down to League D 2-1. 

Romania still relies on a great host of executives like its starting goalkeeper Nita (28 caps) and midfielder Stanciu (captain, 15 goals in 78 caps), who both play in the Damac club, in Saudi Arabia. Be careful though, the last player was injured on Friday evening and he could be missing this Monday. In addition, the replacement goalkeeper Moldovan (injured) and executives Alexandru Chipciu (defender, Cluj, 6 goals in 47 sels) and George Puscas (11 goals in 46 sels) did not receive a call-up for this gathering The locals should once again rely on their striker Marin (Cagliari, 9 goals in 63 caps) who He has already proven decisive 4 times in this competition. We can also point out the presence of central defender Dragusin (25 selections) who is one of the stars of this team since he wears the colors of Tottenham. On the Cyprus side, the squad is undoubtedly a little more modest and a large part of the players present wear the colors of clubs in the domestic championship such as Omonia Nicosia or Pafos in particular.

This is particularly the case of senior defender Laifis (Apoel Nicosia, 60 sel), midfielder Kousoulos (Omonia Nicosia, 42 sel, 4 goals) or interesting striker Kakouillis (23 sel, 4 goals). Among the few elements to have tried their luck abroad, we can cite the names of the goalkeeper Mall (Servette, 13 sel), the defenders Ioannou (49 sel, Como) and Andreou (Charleroi, 22 sel), midfielders Gogic (St Mirren, 33 sel) and Kastanos (Hellas Verona, 65 sel, 7 goals), who scored the only goal of the match on Friday evening, and the attackers Pittas (AIK, 44 sels, 7 goals) and Sotiriou (Hiroshima, 60 sels, 12 goals) who could be the only ones to endanger the Romanian block in this match. Suspended Friday evening, executive defender Laifis (Apoel Nicosia, 60 sel) will be back but not midfielder Gogic who plays in Scotland (St Mirren, 33 sel).