S.P.Read Esq: Cyprus v Wales
Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to the Euro 2016 qualifier tonight between CYPRUS v WALES and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.
The times they are changing.
How much faith people put in the FIFA World Rankings is highly debatable but you won’t a Welsh supporter who doesn’t treat them as gospel now.
For the first time ever Wales (9th) are rated a better team than England (10th) with both rated ahead of current European Champions Spain (11th) and the Netherlands (12th).
Wales manager Chris Coleman said: “We’ve been low in the rankings and had that rubbed in our face many a time. Now we’re doing very well, certain people want to say the rankings are this and they’re that, but the players deserve it.”
Even more important than the rankings though are the performances on the pitch and Wales will move to within one win to make certain of qualifying for next year’s Euro 2016 tournament in France if they can beat Cyprus in Nicosia this evening.
The two teams have met four times previously with honours shared at two wins each. It was 2-1 to Wales in the reverse leg back in October.
The Welsh are arguably in their best ever form now though having lost only one of their past 11 matches and sit at the top of Group B. They have also not conceded a goal over their last three matches.
Cyrpus Cyprus coach Charalampos Christodoulou: “Wales is not Gareth Bale, they are a very good team in general and we will focus on the whole team and not on Bale. I don’t agree with (what’s been said about Cyprus targeting Bale in their previous game in Cardiff). If memory serves me right there were fouls from both teams in that game. In the first match it was Wales who ended playing with 10 players not Cyprus, we never play like this, we are not a dirty side that go above the limits. My team plays clean football, that’s how we always play.”
Cyprus v Wales
UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier
7.45pm SKY
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Oct 2014 EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS Wales 2-1 Cyprus
Oct 2007 EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS Cyprus 3-1 Wales
Oct 2006 EURO CHAMPIONSHIPS Wales 3-1 Cyprus
Nov 2005 INTERNATIONAL Cyprus 1-0 Wales
My first instinct was to look at bookings but the starting offer of 51-55 looks a little high for my liking. Even so, it’s not high enough to tempt me into selling – I’d be nervous about history repeating itself – there were nine yellows and one red (115 points) last time these two met !!
I think Wales will get a goal and am happy to sell the time of their first goal at 48 minutes with Star Spreads.
CLICK FOR CYPRUS v WALES MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS
RECOMMENDED BETS (scale 1-100 points)
SELL time of first Wales goal for 25 points at around 48 minutes with STAR SPREADS
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
