Bosnia & Herzegovina will travel to Larnaca to face Cyprus at the AEK Arena on Thursday for the sixth round of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers (UEFA).
The Dragons are looking to respond following a disappointing home defeat to Austria on matchday five, while the hosts held Romania to a draw in their last outing of the campaign.
Read our Cyprus vs Bosnia predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our other World Cup qualifiers tips.
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Cyprus vs Bosnia prediction: Expect goals in Larnaca
Key stats:
- Bosnia have struck first in four of their five World Cup qualifying fixtures, including the reverse of this matchup.
- Cyprus are winless in their last five matches across all competitions, losing three in that stretch.
- The visitors have claimed victory in four of their five World Cup qualifiers, including both away matches.
- The hosts have conceded at least twice in five of their last seven fixtures in all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Cyprus 1-2 Bosnia
Bosnia approach this encounter knowing that another slip could jeopardise their hopes of securing direct qualification for the World Cup. The Dragons currently sit above second-placed Austria only by a slender (+1) goal difference, with Austria having a game in hand.
A convincing win could significantly strengthen the Dragons’s position in the group, but they will be wary of a Cypriot side that have proven stubborn at home. Cyprus have won one and lost the other of their two home games against Bosnia, so they are unlikely to be easily subdued.
Nonetheless, the visitors are expected to edge this contest given their superior performances in the qualifiers. The hosts, however, should not be written off completely, as they have averaged 1.1 goals across their seven most recent fixtures in all competitions and could find the net again here.
Pre-match analysis: Visitors over twice as likely
- HOME: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
- DRAW: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- AWAY: 17/20 (1.85) – 54.1%
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes; subject to change.
The above figures reflect Bosnia as clear favourites heading into this fixture, with the away side holding more than double the win probability of their hosts. The Dragons have been assigned a 54.1% chance of victory, compared to Cyprus’s 25.0%.
Our hot tip of over 2.5 goals is priced at 2.00 odds, offering considerable value given how the majority of recent encounters between the two sides have unfolded.
Most recent H2H: The Dragons aim for a double
The most recent meeting between these sides ended in a 2-1 triumph for Bosnia in Zenica. The Dragons now aim to complete the double over Cyprus in this qualifying campaign and strengthen their position in the race for automatic qualification.
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 31/08/17
Cyprus
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Europe - World Cup Qualifying 10/10/16
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cyprus
Euro 2015 Qualifying 13/10/15
Cyprus
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Euro 2014 Qualifying 09/09/14
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cyprus
Cyprus preview: Omissions from September outings
Cyprus sit fourth in Group F of the UEFA World Cup qualifiers with four points from five matches, comprising one win, one draw, and three defeats. Akis Mantzios’s side showed great determination in their most recent outing, battling back from a two-goal deficit at home to Romania to claim a point, and will hope to build on that resilient display on Thursday.
Giorgos Malekkidis and Hector Kyprianou, who were both part of the previous international squad, have not been called up this time. Meanwhile, midfielder Charalampos Charalampous came off the bench to score against Romania and could be handed a starting berth in this fixture.
Predicted XI: Mall (GK), Correia, Shelis, Shikkis, Lafis, Charalampous, Satsias, Kousoulos, Kastanos, Pittas & Sotiriou
Last five games
- 09/09/25: Cyprus 2-2 Romania (D)
- 06/09/25: Austria 1-0 Cyprus (L)
- 10/06/25: Romania 2-0 Cyprus (L)
- 06/06/25: Bulgaria 2-2 Cyprus (D)
- 24/03/25: Bosnia 2-1 Cyprus (L)
Bosnia preview: Fresh injury in attack
Bosnia currently lead Group F with 12 points from five matches, their only setback being a 2-1 home defeat to Austria in their latest qualifier.
Sergej Barbarez’s men have been hit with a blow ahead of this tie, as Ermedin Demirovic has been ruled out after suffering a fractured metatarsal, despite completing 90 minutes for Stuttgart at the weekend. Midfielder Haris Hajradinovic is also sidelined with a recent knee issue sustained at Kasimpasa, while Sead Kolasinac remains in recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.
Predicted XI: Vasilj (GK), Dedic, Barisic, Muharemovic, Mujakic, Burnic, Memic, Sunjic, Tahirovic, Bajraktarevic & Dzeko
Last five games
- 09/09/25: Bosnia 1-2 Austria (L)
- 06/09/25: San Marino 0-6 Bosnia (W)
- 10/06/25: Slovenia 2-1 Bosnia (L)
- 07/06/25: Bosnia 1-0 San Marino (W)
- 24/03/25: Bosnia 2-1 Cyprus (W)
Player to watch: Edin Dzeko
Edin Dzeko continues to deliver for the national team even at 39 years old. The experienced striker has netted 71 goals in 143 appearances for Bosnia and remains a vital figure in Barbarez’s attack. Another goal on Thursday would further cement his legacy, moving him higher up the all-time list of international goal scorers, where he currently ranks joint 17th.