Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Cyprus
Match Time & Date:
09/09/2018
02:45 PM
Prediction: 0-2
Slovenia
Cyprus are in for a tough fall, playing Bulgaria, Norway and in this match, Slovenia in League C, Group 3 of the League of Nations. They have previously met Slovenia eight times, losing five games and winning only once. Maybe the hot weather at the Neo GSP Stadium in Nicosia will be an advantage for Cyprus ahead of kick-off. Cyprus haven’t been very successful though, in their last 10 games with only two wins and seven defeats. They haven’t won for a whole year. Slovenia are in varied form, with wins few and far between. However, they did win their last game, beating Montenegro 2:0 away before their opening group match against Bulgaria. Slovenia will hope to attack and get a few quick goals in early before the weather conditions can become a factor. Cyprus needs to get something out of this home game since they are going away for the next two group encounters.
Highlighted Player (Georgios Efrem):
Born in Limassol, Cyprus on 5 July, 1989 Georgios Efrem played for his hometown club Apollon Limassol during his youth career, but in 2004 he joined Premier League club Arsenal at the age of 15. In 2007 he moved to Rangers, but he didn’t see any game action with the Gers at senior level.
The pacey winger, who is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder as well, returned to Cyprus in 2009, signing a deal with Omonia. After scoring 25 goals in 134 league appearances for the club, the 171-cm-tall footballer joined fellow Cypriot outfit APOEL on 6 June, 2014. Efrem made his debut for the club against Helsinki on 30 July, 2014 in the Europa League qualifying match.
It has to be noted that he was named the best player of the 2015/2016 Cypriot First Division campaign. The APOEL winger made his Cyprus debut on 3 March, 2010 in a goalless draw with Iceland. Four years later he scored his first ever hat-trick for the Cypriot national team in a 5-0 triumph over Andorra.
Highlighted Team (Slovenia):
Slovenia have been competing on the international stage following the split of Yugoslavia in 1991. The Slovenians were outclassed by France in their first unofficial match (0-5), whilst they shared the spoils with Estonia in their first official game (1-1).
The former Yugoslav republic participated at three major football tournaments, with the team making it to the FIFA World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea (2002) and South Africa 2010, whilst booking their place at the Euro 2000 which was hosted by Netherlands and Belgium. Slovenia, though, have yet to make it to the knockout stages of the major tournament and that remains their unfulfilled dream.
Srecko Katanec and Zlatko Zahovic are regarded as the most famous footballers who played for the Slovenian national football team and they were part of Slovenia’s “Golden generation”. The Slovenians, who recorded their biggest win against Oman in 1999, welcome their rivals at Ljudski vrt in Stozice and the capacity of the venue is 12.702.
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