NORWAY will be looking to make it three wins in succession in Euro 2024 qualifying when they face Cyprus at the AEK Arena on Thursday night.
After picking up just one point from the first nine on offer, the Lions’ qualification hopes were hanging by the thinnest of threads.
However, Ståle Solbakken’s side have since posted a pair of home successes over Cyprus and Georgia to breathe some much-needed life into their quest to qualify for next summer's showpiece.
With no room for error in their remaining fixtures, the Nordic nation will look to put another three points on the board at the expense of Cyprus on Thursday.
Last month, Temuri Ketsbaia’s struggling side were swept aside 3-0 by Scotland before being shredded 6-0 away at Spain.
As a result, the Cypriots are propping up the pool and are without a point ahead of this week's home game with Norway.
Outright Betting
Cyprus are 14/1 (William Hill) outsiders to pick up their first win of the campaign while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 5/1 (PaddyPower).
Norway are short priced 1/4 with UniBet to make it three wins on the spin in Group A.
Betting Angles
You won't get rich backing Norway at the aforementioned price so I'll instead head to the Bet Builder market with a view to getting the visitors onside.
Combining Norway to win, Over 1.5 Goals and Erling Haaland to Score Anytime will bring about a backable 5/6 play with PaddyPower.
It goes without saying that the Norwegians are undoubtedly in greater need of the win here and a fixture with group whipping boys Cyprus represents a terrific opportunity to bank another three points.
Unsurprisingly, Norway's superstar striker has been central to the Lions' mini revival in Group A, with the Man City man hitting three goals across his last two competitive appearances for his country.
That sample includes a double against Cyprus when the duo met in Oslo back in June and Haaland could fill his boots again when faced with a Cyprus side that have shipped a staggering 17 goals across their opening five group games
As already alluded to, Temuri Ketsbaia’s team are winless and rooted to the bottom of he section with three rounds of fixtures remaining, so they are just playing for pride now
Therefore, morale must be low in the Cypriot camp and Haaland and co are expected to heap more misery on their out-of-sorts hosts.
This Bet Builder would have paid out in each of Norway's last two Group A victories – one of which was the reverse fixture – and I'm more than happy to side with the same selection in Larnaca on Thursday night.
This Euro 2024 match between Cyprus and Norway will be played on Oct 12, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Cyprus vs Norway prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
