Match Overview
Kosovo will host Cyprus on Tuesday evening at Pristina City Stadium in a crucial UEFA Nations League clash as they aim to push for promotion from League C Group 2. With Kosovo currently in second place and Cyprus trailing them by three points, both teams will be seeking a vital win, with Kosovo looking to strengthen their promotion hopes while Cyprus fights to avoid relegation.
Match Preview
Kosovo enters this fixture on the back of a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Lithuania on Saturday. Goals from Edon Zhegrova and Ermal Krasniqi secured the win, with goalkeeper Amir Saipi making a crucial late save after a rare error allowed Lithuania to halve the deficit. The victory extended Kosovo’s winning streak in the Nations League to two games, positioning them second in Group 2, just three points behind leaders Romania.
Franco Foda’s side has shown improvement since his arrival, winning three of their six matches. With home games against the bottom two teams in the group still to come, Kosovo is well-positioned to challenge for a spot in League B. They previously defeated Cyprus 4-0 in September and will be confident of repeating that result on home soil.
Cyprus, on the other hand, is coming off a heavy 3-0 defeat to Romania. It was a tough match for Sofronis Avgousti’s side, as they were three goals down by halftime. This loss marked Cyprus’ sixth consecutive home defeat, during which they have conceded 19 goals while only scoring once. While they currently sit third in Group 2, their position is precarious, as Lithuania trails them by just three points.
Cyprus has struggled against Kosovo in recent years, losing all three of their meetings by a combined score of 11-0. If they hope to secure a positive result in Pristina, their defense will need to tighten up considerably, having conceded seven goals in their last two matches.
Recent Form
– Kosovo (Nations League): Won 2-1 vs. Lithuania, Won 4-0 vs. Cyprus, Lost 3-0 vs. Romania.
– Cyprus (Nations League): Lost 3-0 vs. Romania, Lost 4-0 vs. Kosovo, Drew 1-1 vs. Lithuania.
Team News
Kosovo will be without star striker Vedat Muriqi, who is sidelined with a muscular injury. Muriqi, Kosovo’s all-time top scorer, was instrumental in their last match against Cyprus, scoring twice. In his absence, Albion Rrahmani is expected to lead the attack, supported by wingers Milot Rashica and Edon Zhegrova.
Kosovo will also be missing midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj, who is suspended. Muharrem Jashari is likely to fill the void in central midfield, while Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric is expected to return between the posts after Amir Saipi’s recent blunder.
For Cyprus, changes at the back are possible after their poor defensive performances. AIK striker Ioannis Pittas, who has been in fine form in the Allsvenskan, will likely lead the line again, supported by Grigoris Kastanos of Hellas Verona. Cyprus will need to find a way to improve defensively to stand a chance in this match.
Possible Lineups
Kosovo:
– Formation: 4-2-3-1
– Starting XI: Muric; Vojvoda, A. Rrahmani, Aliti, Rrudhani; Jashari, V. Berisha; Zhegrova, Muslija, Rashica; A. Rrahmani
Cyprus:
– Formation: 4-2-3-1
– Starting XI: Mall; Karo, Gogic, Laifis, Ioannou; Kousoulos, Charalampous; Loizou, Kastanos, Tzionis; Pittas
Cyprus has struggled both offensively and defensively in the Nations League, and their poor record against Kosovo only adds to their troubles. Meanwhile, Kosovo, even without Muriqi, has momentum on their side and will look to continue their winning run. Kosovo is expected to capitalize on Cyprus’ defensive issues and secure a comfortable victory at home.
Final Prediction: Kosovo 2-0 Cyprus
