Luxembourg vs Iceland prediction: EUROPE: Euro – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-09-07 18:45.
Making a mockery of their current FIFA ranking (#89), which is worse than all sides bar Liechtenstein in Group J of the UEFA European Championship Qualifying (ECQ), third-placed Luxembourg stood three points behind the top two ahead of matchday five. Back-to-back 2-0 wins have put them back on track, after a 6-0 defeat to Portugal on matchday two threatened to derail their hopes of a first-ever Euro group stage qualification.
The last of those wins came away in Bosnia in the absence of record joint-top scorer Gerson Rodrigues, who was left out for disciplinary reasons. While he continues to remain frozen out, the Red Lions have to tackle the ominous task of addressing their poor ten-game form in Euro qualifiers played at home (W3, L7).
Iceland suffered heartbreak in their last match in June, as a red card for Willum ĂĂłr Willumsson and a late goal from Cristiano Ronaldo saw them slump to a 1-0 loss against Portugal. That was their third defeat of this ECQ campaign (W1), keeping them second from bottom ahead of this round and leaving them with a herculean task if theyâre to reach only their second-ever European Championship.
Coach Ă ge Hareide has no illusions of the task ahead of him with second-placed Slovakia seven points ahead, suggesting they âhave to win these two gamesâ against Luxembourg and Bosnia this month. An unbeaten competitive H2H record (W1, D1) is just the tonic the visitors need to boost their confidence ahead of this crucial trip, as their nine-game form in away Euro qualifiers remains uninspiring (W3, D1, L5).
Key battle: Vincent Thill also missed Luxembourgâs last game in Bosnia due to disciplinary reasons but has since been recalled. He could be a lucky charm as his last nine goal contributions (G2, A7) have seen Luxembourg remain unbeaten (W6, D1). Looking to dampen his plans could be Icelandâs âkeeper RĂșnar Alex RĂșnarsson, whose only ECQ career clean sheet was recorded in their last road trip.
Hot stat: The team to score first has won eight of Luxembourgâs last ten home ECQ matches.