Estonia vs Norway prediction: EUROPE: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-06-08 18:45.
[p]After taking a first-half lead against Israel on Friday evening, Estonia’s bid to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup looked to be on an encouraging trajectory. That optimism did not last, as they then conceded goals either side of half-time to lose 3-1, which leaves them three points off the play-off position in Group I and six points behind group leaders Norway, who visit Tallinn on Monday.[/p]
[p]That result means that the Blueshirts have beaten only Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands at home from the start of 2023 onwards (D1, L7) and have let in three goals in both of their last two fixtures on their own patch. Following this game, their next two qualifiers are against Italy, so with clean sheets in both of their last two H2Hs against Norway (W1, D1) in 2014 and 2016, the arrival of Ståle Solbakken’s men could be viewed as a welcome one![/p]
[p]This current Norwegian side are a different beast compared to those squads from roughly a decade ago though, and they brushed aside Italy 3-0 on Friday, with all three goals coming in the first half. That made it nine points from their opening three fixtures in this campaign, in what is an excellent start in their bid to qualify for a first World Cup since 1998.[/p]
[p]Norway have already scored more times in their three last matches than during those entire qualifying attempts ahead of the finals in 2010 and 2014, while they have also equalled their returns in front of goal from the 2002 and 2006 qualifying campaigns! Away from home, they have been particularly strong, finding the net 13 times in their last three such games in all competitions, and come Monday, they will be targeting a fourth straight victory on foreign soil.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Mattias Käit got Estonia’s only goal against Israel and will be looking to score in three successive internationals for the first time in his career after doing so in two consecutive games on three separate occasions. Captain Martin Ødegaard has been Norway’s chief assist provider in this qualifying campaign, laying on five of the goals in their three matches so far.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Norway have averaged 4.2 goals scored per game across their last five fixtures (W5).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]