Iceland vs Portugal predictions ahead of Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier at Laugardalsvollur. Portugal will be keen to extend their 100% record in the Euro 2024 qualifying when they head to Iceland on Tuesday. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Tuesday, 20th June at 7:45 pm In:
Iceland vs Portugal Predictions
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Cristiano’s Double Century Clash: Portugal’s Battle against Iceland’s Home Prowess in Euro 2024 Qualifiers
Key Stats
Iceland’s Resilient Home Record: Despite their recent losses, Iceland have only seen two defeats in their last 13 Euro qualifying games on home soil.
The 200-Cap Marvel: Portuguese talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, is all set to make his 200th international appearance, boasting a staggering 122 goals in his international career so far.
Euro 2024 qualifying Group J has been riveting, with Portugal demonstrating a flawless performance thus far. They are yet to experience defeat or concede a goal and have successfully obtained all possible points. This Tuesday, they prepare to engage in a thrilling match against Iceland in Reykjavk at the Laugardalsvollur stadium.
Portugal’s Impressive Performance So Far
Portugal’s most recent victory was a resounding 3-0 triumph over Bosnia & Herzegovina. Managed by Roberto Martinez, the former Belgium and Everton coach, Portugal’s team have showcased professional conduct since the beginning of their qualification bid. These include victories against Luxembourg and Liechtenstein three months ago and a resounding three-goal triumph against Bosnia recently. The team’s performance has comfortably positioned them at the top of Group J, boasting nine points from three games.
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Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United’s prolific playmaker, notably stole the spotlight during the Bosnia game. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s header was disallowed due to offside, Fernandes skillfully provided Bernardo Silva with a perfect through ball to find the net. Fernandes further demonstrated his scoring prowess with a brace in the second half.
Portugal have further shown their defensive prowess by not conceding a single goal, placing them among the top four sides with the likes of France, Serbia, and Hungary. In terms of scoring, their 13 goals top the group.
Iceland’s Recent Struggles
On the other side, Iceland, managed by newly-appointed Age Hareide, suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Slovakia in their most recent match. This was a disappointing start for Hareide, whose prior Nordic managerial experience with Denmark and Norway raised hopes for a more favourable outcome.
Despite a penalty goal by Alfred Finnbogason at halftime, Iceland couldn’t withstand Slovakia’s onslaught, with Tomas Suslov scoring the winning goal in the 69th minute. This loss placed Iceland in the fifth spot in Group J, despite their impressive eight goals, the second-highest in the group.
Although Iceland’s loss to Slovakia was their second defeat in the last 13 Euro qualifying home matches, it’s important to note their prior victories over Turkey and the Netherlands. However, the upcoming match against Portugal, who have been unbeatable so far, is anticipated to be a more formidable challenge.
Head-to-Head History
These two teams have a shared history. They played to a 1-1 draw in the group stage of Euro 2016, before Portugal went on to win the tournament. Moreover, both teams have scored in all three encounters to date.
The Coaches’ Take
Ahead of the match, both coaches have expressed confidence in their teams. Roberto Martinez, Portugal’s coach, applauded his team’s performance so far, stating, “We are enjoying a positive momentum, and the key is to keep focused. Iceland are a formidable opponent, especially at home, but we are ready.”
In contrast, Age Hareide, Iceland’s coach, highlighted the need to improve defensively. “We are aware of Portugal’s threat,” Hareide said. “But we have prepared accordingly. We will focus on our strengths, particularly our attack, and try to exploit any possible weaknesses in their defence.”
Match Predictions: Portugal’s Dominance to Continue
Analysing the teams’ performance data, Portugal exhibits a significant advantage. Portugal’s average of over four goals per game in the Euro 2024 qualifiers contrasts with Iceland’s average of 2.7 goals.
Based on these stats, we propose a William Hill Bet Builder made of three selections: Over 2 Goals, Over 3 Cards, Over 10 Corners, which returns odds of 13/2. This is justifiable as Portugal has averaged 4.3 goals per game, and both teams have averaged more than six corners per match.
Cards on The Table
Now, another aspect that needs our attention is the prediction of Over 3 Cards. On paper, it might appear a tad surprising, considering Portugal’s fair-play approach reflected in their low average of 0.7 yellow cards per game. But, it’s the duelling nature of the match that piques interest. Portugal have won 58.6% of their duels, and Iceland’s not far behind, claiming 51.7% of their own. A closer look at the aerial duels where both teams excel can shed light on the possibility of clashes escalating into fouls, and subsequently, cards.
In football, not every duel is clean. Aerial duels, especially, are more likely to result in fouls, as players jump high and with force, and there’s always a risk of a misjudged clash or a dangerous play. Even though Portugal’s foul average per game stands at 6.7, it doesn’t rule out the possibility of a spike in a tenser environment.
On the other side, Iceland have been more prone to draw referee’s attention, with an average of 11 fouls and 1.7 yellow cards per game. The nature of their game suggests a defensive approach, where preventing the opponents from advancing often requires hard tackles and professional fouls that can result in yellow cards.
Adding to this, the pressure of this match cannot be overstated. Iceland would be looking to upset the balance against an unblemished Portugal, fighting hard and, possibly, on the edge. On the other side, Portugal, the clear favourites, might also find themselves resorting to defensive fouls if they lose control of the game.
Therefore, our anticipation of Over 3 Cards isn’t baseless. It is grounded in the nitty-gritty of the teams’ play, the high stakes of the match, and the probable course of action each team might take.
Additionally, considering Portugal’s goal-scoring prowess and Iceland’s defensive struggles, a 3-0 victory in favour of Portugal seems like a decent bet in the correct score market. Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential 200th international appearance might add an extra spark to the Portuguese offence.
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