Israel v Cyprus background

Israel will look to strengthen their case for a place in the UEFA EURO 2016 play-offs and close the door on Cyprus's dreams of finishing third in Group B.

• Israel occupy the play-off spot, but would need a major landslide to finish higher. They are two points clear of fourth-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a superior head-to-head record in the event that the sides finish level on points.

• Cyprus could finish third, but need results to go their way – including Belgium beating Israel on the final day.

Previous meetings
• Tal Ben Haim II set up Israel's first and scored the second as they won 2-1 in Cyprus in the sides' first Group B encounter.

• Israel have won their last four games against Cyprus – the most recent three by the same 2-1 scoreline.

• Israel have won all eight of their home games against Cyprus (including one staged in Italy in UEFA EURO 2004 qualifying).

Form guide
• Israel did not concede in their two September qualifiers (W1 D1), with their 4-0 home success against Andorra bringing an end to a run of two straight Group B home defeats, in which they had failed to score.

• Cyprus lost both of their September qualifiers – both at home – and failed to score in either game.

Disciplinary
• Tal Ben Haim I, Nir Bitton and Orel Dgani are within a booking of a ban.

Trivia and links
• Cypriot clubs have had marginally the better of their 11 meetings with Israeli counterparts in UEFA competition: W4 D3 L3.

• In UEFA age-group tournaments, Israel have the edge on Cyprus with the record W7 D3 L2.