SCOTLAND start their Euro 2024 campaign with a visit from Mediterranean dark horses Cyprus on Saturday and a nation expects.
After the agony of missing out on the World Cup thanks to a complete no-show against Ukraine in the semi-final at Hampden back in June, Steve Clarke has steadily rebuilt optimism in his squad.
There's a feeling that ending that 23-year exile from major Finals by qualifying for the last Euros will be the start of a new era for Scotland after winning their Nations League group and being promoted to the A League which puts them in exulted company.
But none of that will matter if they slip up against Temur Ketsbaia's side, who are ranked 110th in the world.
The Cypriots can be a dangerous nation and have recently won away in Israel and beaten Greece at home. They also drew home and away with Northern Ireland.
However, they can be inconsistent and were hammered 5-1 in Kosovo and lost to Bulgaria at home. They have a squad who are mostly home-based with a sprinkling of Italian and Belgian-based players…and St Mirren's Alex Gogic.
Apart from that Ukrainian disaster, Scotland are usually very strong at Hampden and a full house will expect them to get off to a winning start before the big one against Spain next week.
How the bookies view it
Scotland are huge favorites here at 1/4 with bet365 and they are even shorter in places. Cyprus can be backed at 14/1 with Coral and the draw is 21/4 with McBookie.com.
Recent head to heads
Scotland boast a perfect 100 per cent record in their seven meetings with the Cypriots although they needed a last minute goal from the forgotten figure of Oli Burke to see them off in their last meeting at Hampden four years ago
Players to watch
Lyndon Dykes has fully recovered from a horrible health scare when he was hospitalised with pneumonia and was the hero of the Nations League revenge mission against Ukraine when he bagged a double in a 3-0 win last year. The QPR striker is 23/20 to net anytime with McBookie.com.
Ioannis Pittas scored in Cyprus' impressive 3-2 win in Israel and the Apollon Limassol hitman is 6/1 to score anytime with McBookie.com
Anything else catch the eye?
Scotland should really be far too classy for the Cypriots, but they are short enough and the prices reflect that.
You would expect Steve Clarke to have them fired up from kick off and a fast start would settle the Hampden punters. They are 13/15 with UniBet to win half time and full time and that could be the way to go.
Tartan Army hero John McGinn loves a goal for his country and is always a huge threat. Back him at 11/4 with bet365 to score anytime.
Scotland will hand a debut to a new keeper, likely to be Norwich's Angus Gunn and there are a few defensive issues. Cyprus quite often score on their travels and it wouldn't be a huge shock of Scotland got the win with both teams scoring at 12/5 with McBookie.com.
This Euro 2024 match between Scotland and Cyprus will be played on Mar 25, 2023 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Scotland vs Cyprus prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
