The final countdown to UEFA Euro 2024 has officially begun as we approach a string of highly anticipated international friendlies. Some of the nations that are playing this week are heading for the big tournament and others aren’t, but either way, it’s important for all of them to try and build some momentum. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the impending clash between San Marino and Cyprus.
San Marino Form GuideSan Marino are often looked upon as the ‘second team’ for a lot of international football fans - largely because they aren’t very big, and they aren’t very good. They are taken to the cleaners pretty frequently and yet, despite that, they still maintain a strong spirit. They’re unlikely to qualify in the near future, but who knows, perhaps a surprise could be on the horizon.
Did San Marino lose all 10 of their qualifying games? Yes. Did they only score three goals? Yes. Still, they have the kind of fanbase that means they are always going to be entertaining to watch. Who knows, maybe a victory in a competitive game is coming sooner than we think.
Cyprus Form GuideAs a small nation in comparison to many of their rivals, it’s hardly surprising to see that Cyprus have never qualified for a major international tournament. They are forever known as the underdogs and rightfully so, but it must be said that they know how to put up a fight. They are a plucky side and one day, that’s going to lead them down the path of a golden generation.
For Cyprus, qualifying was pretty disappointing - and that’s us putting it lightly. They finished bottom of Group A in 5th place, and across their eight games, they lost eight times, scored just three goals and wound up conceding a grand total of 28 goals.
Match PredictionIn a game like this, the whole point is to do everything in your power to make an impact - but at the same time, there are far more important matches that lie ahead. At the same time, we do expect it to be an entertaining game with plenty of chances, which is why we’re still going to back over 2.5 goals scored.