Iceland vs Wales prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-10-10 18:45.
[p]For the first time since the tournament’s inception, Iceland may be relishing a UEFA Nations League (UNL) fixture after finally breaking their duck in the competition. A 2-0 win over Montenegro last month was their first in the UNL’s short history (D4, L11), but as it was followed by a 3-1 defeat to Turkey, Åge Hareide’s men will be keen to get back on track in a first competitive H2H against Wales since 1984.[/p]
[p]There looks to be every chance of that given that Iceland have alternated between wins and losses across their last six fixtures. They’ve also got some very strong recent home form to fall back on (W3, D1), and with each win accompanied by a clean sheet, they’ve certainly got solid foundations to build upon as they look to improve on a miserable H2H record down the years (W1, D1, L5).[/p]
[p]Wales travel to Reykjavik with renewed confidence after a strong start to life under Craig Bellamy’s management (W1, D1), including a 2-1 win away at Montenegro that saw them net twice inside the opening three minutes! A knee injury will keep key midfielder Ethan Ampadu out of this clash, with Wales legend Joe Allen drafted back into the squad by Bellamy in his place.[/p]
[p]The Dragons will hope to lean on Allen’s experience in an effort to string together some better away form. Including victory in Montenegro, Wales have won just two of their last ten away matches (D3, L5), with three of those defeats coming in the UNL. Those all came in League A, and such difficulties appear unlikely to follow them to League B where their record is formidable overall (W8, D2, L2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Just five caps short of a century, Iceland’s JĂłhann Berg GuĂ°mundsson registered an assist in both of his side’s UNL matches last month – he’s never had a hand in goals in three consecutive games in his international career. Fresh from becoming the first Tottenham player to score in six consecutive matches in over five years, Brennan Johnson will be looking to translate his stellar form into Wales colours, though he’s scored just once for his national team in 17 appearances dating back to June 2022![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Just one of Wales’ last five matches have seen both sides on the scoresheet.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]