SPAIN will set out to cement their position at the top of Group A in Euro 2024 qualifying when they visit Cyprus on Thursday evening.
Luis de la Fuente’s side have already confirmed their place at next summer’s showpiece following their 1-0 win in Norway last month, on a night where I backed the Spanish to succeed.
That victory was also music to the ears of Scotland, as it also guaranteed Steve Clarke’s side a top-two finish in the section.
However, with top spot still up for grabs, Spain are unlikely to take their foot off the gas when they go up against Cyprus.
The Cypriots have endured a miserable time of things in Group A, losing each of their seven fixtures to date.
Consequently, Temuri Ketsbaia’s team are guaranteed to finish bottom of the section ahead of their final group game with Spain.
Outright Betting
Understandably, Cyprus are huge underdogs here at 80/1 (Ladbrokes) while the stalemate is also considered highly unlikely at 18/1 (PaddyPower).
Spain go into their penultimate fixture of the campaign as heavy 1/22 (Ladbrokes) favourites.
Betting Angles
Given Spain's unbackable price here it's a case of having to get very creative in order to eke out a backable bet, so I'll throw together Spain Half Time/Full Time, Over Zero Spain Second-Half Spain Goals and Both Teams to Score No at 4/5 with Bet 365.
While La Roja have already stamped their ticket to Germany 2024, they will be determined to finish top of the group to ensure they are one of the top seeds going into next year's Euros.
With the Spanish currently level on points with Scotland, they have no room for error in Limassol on Thursday evening, though they should make light work of Group A whipping boys Cyprus.
As already alluded to, Temuri Ketsbaia’s team are winless and rooted to the bottom of he section, so morale must be low in the Cypriot camp ahead of a visit from a Spain team that still have plenty to play for.
I'll therefore back Luis de la Fuente’s side to be leading at the interval before going on to claim victory – a fate that the hosts have suffered in six of their seven Group A assignments.
Given that this fixture pits the top scoring side against the leakiest defence in the section, I'll also back the Spanish to strike at least once in the second-half en-route to victory.
To round off the Bet Builder, I'll also back Spain to keep their sheets clean when they come up against a shot-shy Cyprus side whose only two goals in seven outings came against fourth-placed Georgia.
This combination clicked in September's reverse fixture between the pair and supporting the same formula looks worthy of some interest at the Alphamega Stadium on Thursday evening.
This Euro 2024 match between Cyprus and Spain will be played on Nov 16, 2023 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Cyprus vs Spain prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.