Israel go head-to-head against Iceland on Thursday. Read our Predictions and Betting Tips with Match Preview, Head-to-head stats (h2h) and Team Form Analysis.
This match will be played on 22/03/2024 at 02:45
Israel and Iceland take on each other at Szusza Ferenc Stadion in what is expected to be a close Euro 2024 playoffs clash. Israel finished their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Andorra, but they face a much tougher challenge against the Icelanders. Tottenham ace Manor Solomon remains on the sidelines with injury and, in his absence, a man to watch in the home team will be veteran Eran Zahavi, who scored a brace for Maccabi Tel Aviv in a 3-1 win over Hapoel Haifa at the weekend.
The visiting side, meanwhile, are likely to rely on their rock-solid defence in Thursday’s showdown; therefore, we are tempted to put our money on under 2.5 goals. Despite losing his spot in Burnley’s starting XI, Johann Berg Gudmundsson should start against Israel, as well as Blackburn Rovers winger Arnor Sigurdsson. Anyhow, a low-scoring affair is on the cards in Budapest (neutral location).
How the bookies view it
Israel have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 5/4 by Maxjili to claim the win. A victory for Iceland is valued at 12/5 by Betfred while Unibet is also offering odds of 12/5 for a draw.
Head to head
Israel have never lost to Iceland, with two wins and three draws from five previous matches. Their last meeting was a UEFA Nations League clash in 2022 which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Players to watch
Eran Zahavi is one of the most experienced players for Israel and is expected to lead the line on Thursday. The striker is coming off an impressive run in front of goal for Maccabi Tel Aviv having found the net eight times in the last six club matches and could be backed to carry his scoring run into the national team at 7/4 with Maxjili.
Andri Gudjohnsen has caught the eye for Iceland in recent internationals and could be the one to watch on Thursday. The forward was on target in the friendly win against Honduras and is priced at 15/4 by Maxjili to get on the score sheet.
Recent Meetings
These two sides were placed to the same group in the previous edition of the UEFA Nations League. They have shared spoils in both clashes on the occasion. Interestingly, the scoreline was 2-2 in both matches.
Iceland are still searching for their maiden win over Israel. This will be their sixth attempt.
Israel have scored at least two goals in each of the previous five meetings with Iceland.
Israel vs Iceland Prediction
Israel did not finish the regular qualifications on a high. They took just one point from the matches against Kosovo, Switzerland, and Romania. Nevertheless, their players are in a much better form than Iceland’s going into this tie. Players from Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa make the core of Israeli national team. Both teams made it to the last-16 round of the UEFA Conference League this season. Iceland’s golden generation is past their prime. Captain Aron Gunnarsson will not feature on Thursday. Neither will experienced players like Birkir Bjarnason or Gylfi Sigurdsson. Finally, Iceland had a catastrophic campaign in the regular qualifications. We will back Israel to win at the 2.25 odds.
The second pick would be Eran Zahavi to score anytime at the 2.87 odds. Zahavi has been on a sensational form lately. The 36-year-old veteran has scored eight goals in his previous six appearances for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Three of these eight goals have come in a Conference League double-header against Greek heavyweights Olympiacos in recent weeks. Iceland shipped six goals in the last two qualifiers against Slovakia and Portugal. We see big value in backing Zahavi to score on Thursday at such a lucrative price-tag.
