Iceland VS Albania Match Prediction
2019-06-08
13:00:00
Iceland
VS
Albania
Our Prediction Tip
Iceland will win this match.
2019-06-0813:00:00 Iceland will win this match.
Iceland have won three of their five matches against Albania, having beaten them home and away in their most recent meetings – during World Cup 2014 qualification. Iceland won both games 2-1 – Birkir Bjarnason and Gylfi Sigurdsson scoring away and Bjarnason and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson netting at home.
Iceland have been in miserable form and were comfortably beaten by France last time out. Their Euro 2016 success and run to World Cup 2018 seem a long way away now.
But they still have plenty of quality in this squad, led by Gylfi Sigurdsson and bolstered by the return of Kolbeinn Sigthorsson.
They can get back to winning ways when they host Albania, who themselves have been inconsistent at best of late.
Albania’s defeat to Turkey exposed some of their shortcomings, and Iceland can take advantage at home and get themselves back on track in this qualifying group.
Second place is not beyond either team – both of whom were surprise qualifiers for the last European Championships.
But Iceland have also since reached the World Cup and know they can perform better than the run of form that has brought one win in 17 suggests.
This is a big chance to put that run behind them, however – and one Iceland really need to take.
At home, Iceland are odds-on favourites to beat Albania. You can get 4/6 from Ladbrokes and Betway on a home win.
Iceland have struggled defensively too often of late, however, and both teams to score could be worth backing at 5/4 with Ladbrokes and Betfair.
Over 2.5 goals, meanwhile, has been priced at 5/4 with Paddy Power and Betway.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is 13/8 with Bet365 to score at any time, while Gylfi Sigurdsson – on the back of his excellent season with Iceland – is 11/5 with Betway.
Iceland are favourites to beat Albania and, with home advantage, can record an overdue and much-needed victory.
Alfred Finnbogason is the only absentee from the Iceland squad which faced France in March. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Emil Hallfredsson all return, meanwhile.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – The attacking midfielder was one of Everton’s stand-out players in the Premier League this season and has already been integral to this Iceland team too.
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson – After years of injury hell, the Euro 2016 hero scored in Iceland’s draw with Qatar and is now looking to rebuild his career with AIK in Sweden.
Johan Berg Gudmundsson – Creativity from the wing and plenty of assists make the Burnley wide-man key going forward.
Iceland’s only win in their last 17 matches was the 2-0 win in Andorra that started this Euro 2020 qualification campaign. Birkir Bjarnason and Vidhar Kjartansson scored their goals. They were beaten 4-0 in France three days later, however to end a mini unbeaten run that had also included draws with Sweden and Estonia in unofficial friendlies in Qatar.
Defender Egzon Binaku is out injured and Marash Kumbulla has moved to the under-21 squad. Midfielders Ledian Memushaj and Eros Grezda have also withdrawn, while Andi Lila had already been ruled out through injury. Defender Berat Djimsiti is also absent.
Elseid Hysaj – The Napoli full-back and vice-captain is one of Albania’s most notable exports and is closing in on 50 caps.
Armando Sadiku – Lugano’s striker has scored 12 goals in 35 international appearances – more than any other player in the current squad.
Taulant Xhaka – The Basel midfielder, brother of Swiss ace Granit, provides tenacity and control in the centre.
Albania have won two of their last three matches. Bekim Balaj scored the only goal of their friendly win against Wales in November and netted again in a 3-0 win in Andorra. Armando Sadiku opened the scoring in the latter and Amir Abrashi also netted. In between, however, Albania lost 2-0 at home to Turkey.
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