With their UEFA Nations League (UNL) promotion/relegation play-off spot sealed, Cyprus round off their Group C2 campaign against Montenegro, who clinched automatic promotion last time out in dramatic fashion.
Match News and Current Form
Cyprus were unable to hold on for victory in Armenia on Thursday night, but their 1-1 draw mathematically secured a second-place finish, accompanied by the reward of a spot in March’s play-offs. Akis Mantzios’ side are unbeaten since losing their opening game in this cycle 2-1 in Montenegro (W2, D2), and having unsurprisingly failed to earn FIFA World Cup qualification following his appointment in January 2025, the Greek boss could now deliver a historic UNL promotion. In the meantime though, Mantzios will be keen to see his side keep up their momentum with a fourth consecutive home win in what will be their final game before March’s play-offs.
Montenegro saw a player sent off against basement boys Latvia last time out, but struck a 91st-minute winner, and that dramatic 2-1 victory on home soil clinched top spot in Group C2. Automatic promotion is the prize, and with just two points dropped so far in this UNL season (W4, D1), the success marks an immediate return to League B having been relegated at the end of the previous cycle. The Brave Falcons will now hope to round off their campaign in style and should be confident of doing so having not lost any of their last five away matches (W4, D1).
Head-to-Head History
Montenegro have won each of the last three meetings, including September’s 2-1 home success, and are unbeaten across six H2Hs in total to date (W3, D3).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only three of Cyprus’ last nine games produced over 2.5 goals.
Cyprus’ last four matches saw over 9.5 corners taken.
Five of Montenegro’s last six internationals saw both teams score.
Montenegro won the corner count in six of their last seven competitive matches.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Ioannis Pittas has registered an assist in two of Cyprus’ last three games, including one last time out against Armenia, while only one Cyprus player has attempted more than his 14 shots in this UNL cycle. Milutin Osmajić has scored eight goals in his last 12 appearances for Montenegro, including an 86th-minute winner in September’s reverse fixture, with eight of his ten career international strikes arriving after the 40th minute.
Cyprus have Kostas Pileas available after suspension. Montenegro will see Stefan Lončar return from his ban, but are without Stefan Savić following Thursday night’s red card.
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Betting Analysis
There’s little to play for but pride here, meaning both sides could play with the freedom to make both teams to score in both halves more viable than in normal circumstances.
Author: Ben Olawumi