Iceland vs Kosovo prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B/C – Relegation betting tips on match 2025-03-22 17:00.
[p]Iceland have it all to do in this UEFA Nations League (UNL) relegation/promotion play-off against Kosovo after losing 2-1 in the first leg on Thursday. Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s men will not benefit from home advantage in the second leg either, with the second leg held in the Spanish city of Murcia while Iceland’s stadium undergoes work.[/p]
[p]It marks a poor start to Gunnlaugsson’s tenure after his appointment in January, with the result continuing Iceland’s miserable run that has seen them win just once in their last six matches (D1, L4). There are no silver linings to be found from their record in the UNL either, with Montenegro the only team they’ve beaten across four cycles (D5, L14).[/p]
[p]For Kosovo, the prospect of competing in League B of the UNL for the first time ever is now within their grasp. A draw in the return leg will be sufficient, and confidence should be high as the Dardanians have won their last two completed away games against Lithuania and Cyprus, scoring multiple goals each time.[/p]
[p]Franco Foda’s men have also now won their last five completed UNL matches, not conceding more than once in any of them and keeping three clean sheets in the process. Of more concern will be that Kosovo have not beaten a side ranked higher than Iceland’s current position (70) since winning against Northern Ireland in June 2022.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Orri Ă“skarsson’s goal on Thursday could prove crucial in the context of the tie, although the Iceland striker has been on the winning side in just two of his six international goalscoring appearances (D1, L3). Kosovo midfielder Elvis Rexhbeçaj got the winner in the first leg, which was not only his first-ever goal for his country, but his first strike since netting for Augsburg in August – he has picked up 12 yellow cards for club or country since![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only one of Iceland’s last 11 matches has been goalless at half-time. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]