Cyprus and Romania will both be looking to close the gap on the top two in Group H of FIFA World Cup qualifying (WCQ) when they meet in this crucial clash in Nicosia on Tuesday evening.
Match News and Current Form
Cyprus began 2025 with a 2-0 WCQ home win over San Marino, but have since gone four games without a victory (D1, L3), failing to score in the last two (L2). The latest of those was a 1-0 defeat away to Austria on Saturday evening, and while the scoreline was respectable against a side sitting 106 places above them in FIFA’s world rankings, it leaves them down in fourth place, three points behind their opponents in third and six points from Austria in the play-off position. With just four games remaining their qualification chances appear slim, but one glimmer of hope comes from three of those fixtures falling at home, where Cyprus have won their last two outings.
Romania had gone 11 away matches without defeat (W7, D4) - and had won five in a row - before they went down 2-1 against Austria in June in their last fixture on the road. The Tricolours sat out of WCQ action last week, but there was no reprieve as they were thrashed 3-0 in a friendly by Canada! Moving on quickly will be key to prolonging their fight to reach the World Cup for the first time this century, and Romania have every chance given that the group’s top two sides face off on Tuesday, so a victory for Mircea Lucescu’s team in Nicosia could see them in the play-off spot by the end of the evening.
Head-to-Head History
Across 16 previous H2Hs, Cyprus have won only once (D2, L13), with that victory coming back in February 2000. Since then, Romania have won the last six, keeping a clean sheet four times.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Cyprus have conceded the first goal in each of their last four matches.
None of Cyprus’ last 11 home games have ended level (W4, L7).
Romania have scored at least once after half-time in five of their last six away games.
Romania have drawn only two of their last 14 WCQ matches (W7, L5).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Ioannis Pittas scored in his last H2H with Romania and found the net in Cyprus’ last home game, with both those goals coming after half-time. Dennis Man has scored and assisted in his last two H2Hs against Cyprus, with all four goal involvements coming before the break.
Both teams come into this fixture without any new injuries from last week’s action.
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Betting Analysis
Romania have been solid defensively in recent H2Hs, so backing an away win with a clean sheet seems sensible.
Author: Tom Penn