Cyprus VS Belgium Match Prediction

The nine games on record between Cyprus and Belgium show that the head-to-head record is firmly in favour of the visitors here, with eight wins from those matches and just one draw.

Most recently, the nations met during qualifying for the European Championship in 2016, with Belgium winning 5-0 at home and squeezing to a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture to ensure they took maximum points from the pair of matches.

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Cyprus v Belgium: Prediction

Belgium should have more than enough quality to get the job done here but they were very poor against Spain, struggling to create a chance of note and looking very ragged at the back. Cyprus will try to make it hard for Belgium, but an early goal could see Martinez's men pile up a big score. The longer it takes them to break the deadlock, the more Cyprus will grow in confidence.

Cyprus v Belgium: Betting Tips

The largest odds available for Belgium here are 6/17, which shows just how confident the bookmakers are that Martinez's side will respond to that poor loss to Spain in fine style here. Cyprus can be backed at 11/1, while the draw is at around the 4/1 mark.

A tight game looks likely but Belgium should be able to keep a clean sheet, so a price of evens on Belgium to win to nil appeals. The score was just 1-0 the last time Belgium visited Cyprus for a qualifying match and a repeat of that result can be backed at 11/2.

Israel and Andorra are the only teams Cyprus have beaten since 2014, so the chances of a shock result look remote. Coach Christakis Christoforou has a fairly mediocre squad of players available and it is hard to pick out anyone who is likely to cause problems for Belgium's defence. However, they will make it hard for Belgium to break them down and could be a threat from set pieces.

Cyprus likely XI:

Roberto Martinez's men were booed during their 2-0 loss to Spain on Thursday and they will have to be a lot better here despite the drop in the standard of opposition. 

Eden Hazard is likely to captain the side again despite being poor against Spain, with Kevin De Bruyne also below his best in that match. Divock Origi could drop out of the team after an ineffective display against Spain, with Romelu Lukaku the most likely play to come in up front. Lukaku's younger brother Jordan struggled at left-back against Spain and he may drop out.

Belgium likely XI:

Cyprus have only avoided defeat once in nine attempts against Belgium and it is hard to see them doing so here, even though Belgium are lacking in form and adapting to Martinez\'s methods. It should be an easy away win, but Belgium might have to sweat for it.

Cyprus have lost their last three games in a row, while Belgium have suffered back-to-back defeats.