Cyprus v Norway predictions

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Cyprus v Norway predictions World Cup Qualifiers, International	16/10/2012 20:00	full time result	Draw	3.3	Bet at Ladbrokes
Betting prediction was written by Ian

CYPRUS v NORWAY PREDICTIONS AND PREVIEW: BETTING STATS

Cyprus are currently 107th in the FIFA World Rankings and Norway are 26th. Neither side qualified for Euro 2012 or the last World Cup. Indeed Norway have now not appeared at the last six major championships. Cyprus have scored 10 goals in their last nine matches and conceded 22. Norway have scored 11 in nine and conceded 8

TEAM NEWS AND RUN OF PLAY

Norway have a poor recent goal scoring record with defender John Arne Riise still their most prolific player in front of goal. He is the only player in the current squad to have scored more than three international goals. Daniel Braaten is a key player for the side in midfield. For Cyprus Michalis Konstantinou has scored 32 goals in 86 matches.

The ball is likely to be regained at regular intervals as both sides are not totally comfortable in possession. Midfield control could not be said to be a feature of either side and it is hardworking grafters who represent these two countries in this key area of the field. Riise is still one of Norway's main attacking threats and he is a defender who has played over 100 times for his country. Norway had just 34% of possession against Switzerland but still created 15 chances but only scored once. Against a far weaker Cyprus side the away team should see more of the ball but need to improve on their ratio of goals to shots to beat a Cyprus side that can be hard to breakdown at home.

CYPRUS – NORWAY PREDICTIONS: 1X2 BETTING PREVIEW

Cyprus beat Iceland 1-0 in their last home game but Norway are of better quality than that side so a low-scoring draw could be the best they can expect. On rankings Norway should be clear favourites to win this game but a lack of goals could result in them not doing enough to take three points. They beat Cyprus away in the trying to qualify for the last World Cup but on current form a similar result may be beyond them.

A draw at 3.3 with Ladbrokes looks the right choice.

CYPRUS – NORWAY PREDICTIONS: ASIAN HANDICAP PREVIEW

Norway are good enough to avoid defeat in this match so backing them with any start is recommended. The most unlikely result of this match is a win for Cyprus but they don’t have the ability to score against a solid Norway defence that concedes few goals, just 7 in 8 World Cup qualifying games. Beginners not familiar with Asian Handicap can find info here: http://howtobet.net/online-betting-guide/asian-handicap

Back Norway +0.25 at 1.35 with Pinnacle Sports.

CYPRUS – NORWAY PREDICTIONS: TOTAL GOALS PREVIEW

Cyprus have conceded more than two goals per game in their last nine matches but that figure is significantly less when only home games are considered. Norway's games especially away from home are generally tight so no more than 2 goals are expected in this game with the first not coming until after half time.

Take the 1.82 with 188Bet for less than 3 goals.