The Euro 2016 qualifiers continue this evening, with an unbeaten Wales travelling to Cyprus at 7.45pm on Sky Sports 1.

The whole Euro qualifying campaign has been somewhat of a revolution for Wales. With 4 wins and 2 draws in what could have been a tricky group, Wales sit atop the pile with 14 points and 4 games to go. Whilst wins against Andorra, Cyprus and Israel are par for the course, getting 4 points from 2 games against Belgium, many a fan’s dark horse for the World Cup and a definite contender for the Euro 2016 title, is fantastic.

That most recent win in Cardiff, with a first half goal from Gareth Bale the only thing separating the two sides, puts Wales 2 wins away from qualifying for their first major tournament in 57 years. And whilst it may not have been the most convincing win, preventing a side that contains the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku from scoring is a phenomenal feat in and of itself. It also has, much to the ire of English football fans, seen Wales ranked above England for the first time in the team’s history, a marker of how far they have come in the last few years.



The absence of James Chester could leave a hole at the back, but the return of Hal Robson-Kanu from injury, who scored against Cyprus in their first match, will be a boost. Add onto this an in-form Gareth Bale, who opened and closed scoring in Real Madrid’s 5-0 win over Real Betis at the weekend and sits at a Super Mega Player Goal Minutes spread of 43-50, and Aaron Ramsey, at 13/2 to score first, and Wales are left in a pretty strong position going into Thursday night’s match.

Not that Cyprus are the kind of side that will completely roll over. They sit on 9 points, the same as Israel in 3rd, 2 below Belgium in 2nd and 1 above Bosnia and Herzegovina in 5th. It’s an incredibly tight group, and one that the Cypriots have performed remarkably well in. A shock opening win over Bosnia and Herzegovina was followed by 2-1 defeats to Israel and Wales. However 5-0 and 3-1 victories over group whipping-boys Andorra have left Cyprus with a realistic chance of, if not automatic qualification, then at least a play-off spot.

Frustratingly for Cyprus, there is a chance that only one of their 3 players on 3 goals will be available. AEK Larnaca’s Nestoras Mitidis is definitely fit and has a Super Mega PGM of 11-15; however, Demetris Christofi will have to undergo a late fitness test, whilst George Efrem is a guaranteed absentee through injury. Pressure will be on the 33-year old, and summer APOEL signee, Constantinos Makrides to improve on his 1 goal haul, with the attacking midfielder sitting at a Super Mega PGM spread of 4-7.

Having convincingly beaten Cyprus 2-1 in their first match, and having defeated Belgium in the interim, Wales will likely be confident of a victory at the GSP Stadium. Our traders certainly think so, offering a Wales/Cyprus (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 0.65-0.85 with a Total Goals spread of 2.15-2.35.