Cyprus and Georgia set to share the spoils in Euro qualifying

Cyprus vs Georgia - 17/06/2023

15/06/23 1921

Cyprus and Georgia are propping up Euro qualifying Group A. Both teams have a game in hand going into matchday No 2 of qualifying. A win for either team could completely change their situation in Group A.

Georgia are in slightly better shape going into the game compared to Cyprus. The Georgians drew 1-1 with Norway to start qualifying thanks to a Georges Mikautadze second-half goal.

A win for Georgia over Cyprus could send them into second place.

Cyprus fell 3-0 to Scotland to open the tournament. The Cypriots are expected to be the whipping boys of a strong group.

However, a win over Georgia on home soil would see Cyprus move into a three-way tie for second place after three matches.

The scoreline for Cyprus’s 3-0 loss to Scotland slightly flattered the Scotsman. Cyprus fell behind 1-0 in the 21st minute to a John McGinn goal.

The Cypriots held out until conceding twice in the final three minutes, plus stoppage time. Scotland’s second and third goals came with Cyprus seeking an equaliser.

Cyprus hold a slight advantage in head-to-head matches against Georgia. The Cypriots have a record of 3W-1D-2L in six all-time meetings.

The national teams last met in 2017, with Georgia winning 1-0.

Georgia head into matchday No 2 of Euro qualifying unbeaten in four of their last five games.

A quick dissection of those fixtures shows Georgia didn’t play the strongest opponents.

The Georgians defeated North Macedonia, Gibraltar, and Mongolia. They drew with Norway as previously mentioned and lost to Morocco.

The national team does have one of Europe’s hottest players in the side, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Kvaratskhelia was the transfer of last season and helped lead Napoli to the Serie A title. The winger has 10 goals in 20 national team appearances.

Cyprus limp into the fixture with Georgia winless in back-to-back games. Their 3-0 loss to Scotland was followed by a 2-2 draw with Armenia.

The majority of Temur Ketsbaia’s team plays their club football in Cyprus. Only five players play outside of Cyprus in leagues that include MLS, Belgium Pro League, Serie A, Serie B, and the Scottish Premiership. Cyprus’s talent is low compared to Georgia’s quality.

Despite a difference in quality, Cyprus hold a slight historical edge over Georgia. They are also playing at home, which should help them seal a point against the Georgians.

Matchday No 2 in Group A should see Cyprus and Georgia draw, with neither side able to get all three points.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

EuQ

Cyprus Georgia 17/06/2023 20:45

234037

X1-1

1 - 1

2.27

25°

3.30

3.80 3.30 2.00 no no no

FT

1 - 2(1 - 1)

-

- - -