Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifying – Europe clash between Cyprus and Romania, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Both trailing behind in the race for World Cup 2026 qualification, Cyprus and Romania will meet for a crucial clash on Tuesday evening.
The teams are set to convene in Nicosia, with Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina occupying the top two spots in Group H – so victory is all but essential.
Match preview
Despite restricting Austria to a single goal at the weekend, Cyprus saw faint dreams of qualifying take another hit, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat in Vienna.
In Group H thus far, they have followed a 2-0 win over minnows San Marino with three straight losses, having also come away empty-handed from both Bosnia and Romania.
Three of their remaining four fixtures will be back on home turf, where Cyprus may have more chance of picking up points.
Currently six adrift of a playoff place – having played one game more – the Mediterranean nation surely must beat Romania to keep any hope alive.
When they last met in Bucharest, Apostolos Mantzios‘ men lost 2-0, with both strikes coming just before half time – that followed consecutive defeats in last season’s UEFA Nations League.
While their hosts are again set to miss out on a first major tournament, Romania are very much in the mix for qualification despite suffering some setbacks.
The Tricolorii now resume their campaign sitting third in Group H, with six points from four matches so far.
Putting a combined total of seven goals past Cyprus and San Marino represented a job well done, but they have also been beaten by both of their main rivals.
Ultimately aiming to play at their first World Cup since 1998 – during a ’90s heyday that saw them reach the quarter-finals and last 16 – Romania cannot afford more mistakes if they are to join next year’s global gathering.
Mircea Lucescu‘s side failed to prepare with a morale-boosting win on Friday, though, losing 3-0 at home to Canada in a friendly.
Still, the Romanians’ vastly experienced coach – now into his ninth decade – knows that result will soon be forgotten if his team are successful on Tuesday.
Cyprus World Cup Qualifying – Europe form: W L L L
Cyprus form (all competitions): L W L D L L
Romania World Cup Qualifying – Europe form: L W L W
Romania form (all competitions): W L W L W L
Team News
Cyprus handed an international debut to Brazil-born goalkeeper Fabio on Saturday, and the Omonia Nicosia stopper may continue in place of previous number one Joel Mall.
Few changes – if any – are expected to a side that fared relatively well in Austria, but APOEL forward Pieros Sotiriou will be pushing for a recall.
Ioannis Pittas has scored two of the hosts’ three Group H goals so far, and he is set to lead their attack.
Florin Tanase is Romania’s top scorer in this campaign – also with two goals – and he could be among several men recalled after the Tricolorii were soundly beaten by Canada.
Dennis Man and captain Nicolae Stanciu should also feature in support of a lone striker, with Denis Dragus favourite to take that role in Daniel Birligea‘s injury-enforced absence.
Namesakes Razvan and Marius Marin are likely to run Romania’s engine room, though FCSB skipper Darius Olaru is another option.
Cyprus possible starting lineup: Fabiano; Shikkis, Sielis, Laifis, Pileas; Kastanos, Kyriakou; Loizou, Sotiriou, Tzionis; Pittas
Romania possible starting lineup: Moldovan; Ratiu, Burca, Ghita, Sorescu; R. Marin, M. Marin; Man, Stanciu, Tanase; Dragus
We say: Cyprus 0-2 Romania
Making it four straight wins over Cyprus within the space of a year, Romania can repeat the result from June’s reverse fixture.
While recent defeats will be cause for concern, their technical superiority should eventually pay off, keeping World Cup dreams alive.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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