Iceland vs Turkey prediction: EUROPE: UEFA Nations League – League B betting tips on match 2024-10-13 18:45.
[p]Iceland maintained their reasonable prospects of a return to UEFA Nations League A with a stunning two-goal comeback against Wales (2-2) to move within three points of Group B4 leaders Turkey halfway through the campaign. Those promotion hopes could be shot however if they allow the deficit to double to six points with a loss to Turkey here, making matchday four potentially decisive for FIFA’s #71-ranked side. [/p]
[p]Their final two Group B4 games in November will both take place in opposition territory, so it’s imperative that they take full advantage of their growing unbeaten streak on home soil that now spans five internationals (W3, D2), albeit with three of them having taken place against lower-ranked opposition at the time of those matches being played. But with Wales and Turkey neck-and-neck in the FIFA rankings, Iceland should be confident of at least being able to replicate Friday night’s 2-2 draw with the Dragons here. [/p]
[p]Turkish fans might remember how difficult travelling to Iceland has been for their team, as all three H2Hs to have taken place at Laugardalsvöllur this century have ended in defeat. To thwart Iceland’s promotion ambitions and boost their own, they may need to improve on Friday’s profligate effort against Montenegro in which they registered 29 goal attempts and 3.13 expected goals, only to record a 1-0 victory.  [/p]
[p]But overall, the Crescent Stars are in pretty dependable shape, having won four of their last six games (D1, L1), although their away record requires work, as they have failed to win any of their last seven internationals as visitors. While head coach Vincenzo Montella wants to see more efficiency and accuracy in their attacking set-pieces, he believes the “team’s overall quality” has been improving throughout the year, and after earning a 3-1 victory over Iceland in the reverse fixture, they are firm favourites in ReykjavĂk to do the double. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: All three of Orri Óskarsson’s goals for club or country since the start of September have been recorded in home wins, so Iceland will certainly be hoping he can find the net here. On a similar note, Hakan Çalhanoğlu earned Flashscore’s top match rating (8.2) against Montenegro, and his last five goals for Inter Milan or Turkey have all been in victories. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Iceland’s last four home wins have all been accompanied by a clean sheet.  [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]