Cyprus v Scotland: Visitors to climb Cyprus hill

Internationals / Tobias Gourlay / 11 November 2011 /

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Craig Levein

"Levein has learnt the knack of beating weaker teams on the road"

Scotland have been struggling on the road, but Cyprus is a hospitable place, says Tobias Gourlay

Friday 18:00 (Live on BBC 2 Scotland)
Cyprus [3.45] Scotland [2.32] draw [3.5]

In the last couple of years Scotland have lost friendlies on foreign soil to Ireland (strictly speaking, this was a Nations Cup match), Sweden and Brazil. Craig Levein has also lost five players to injury from his original squad for this game. Thank goodness the Tartan Army is only marching on Cyprus.

The Cypriot national team cannot match the success of the country's top club, APOEL Nicosia, who currently lead their Champions League group. They have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions (home and away), plummeting to 120 in Fifa's rankings. Nikos Nioplias has left out some of his usual starters this week, which may or may weaken the team.

Levein seems to have learnt the knack of beating weaker teams on the road and wins this year against Northern Ireland, Wales and Liechtenstein suggest there's a bit of value about the visitors' [2.32] win price.

Cyprus have failed to score in each of their last six home friendly defeats and the Scotland Win to Nil might appeal at something around [4.0], but ugly rumours suggest Levein is in experimental mood. He might even play two strikers.

The teams could be a little unfamiliar - and a little more daring than usual - but it is still worth noting that seven of Cyprus' last nine home friendlies have stayed Under 2.5 Goals, which is a [1.76] favourite. Five of Scotland's nine away games under Levein have been similarly low-scoring.

Recommended Bet: Back Scotland @ [2.32]

*Follow Tobias on Twitter: @tobiasgourlay

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