Israel vs Iceland Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The road to Euro 2024 gets underway again this week, and we’ve got a Israel vs Iceland prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview from Tom Winch for you to peruse. Israel and Iceland face one another in Budapest. The pair have met twice in as many years. Both games ended 2-2.

Prediction: Israel 2-1 Iceland

No side has an advantage in this encounter as the game takes place at Szusza Ferenc Stadion in the Hungarian capital. Israel are favourites, but not by much. Will we see another entertaining affair between these two nations, or will the pressure force a slow and dull affair?

Elsewhere on bettingexpert, why not check out Tom’s take on Georgia vs Luxembourg?

1. Israel vs Iceland Tip 1: Israel -0.25 Asian Handicap
2. Israel vs Iceland Tip 2: Over 2.25 Asian Goal Line
3. Israel vs Iceland Tip 3: Eran Zahavi AGS

---

The bettingexpert Football Podcast is out NOW!

Bettingexpert Football Editor, Sam Ingram, joins host Daniel Jenkins to reacts to the Champions League draw for the quarter finals, before turning attentions to the England Euros ‘To Make the Squad’ betting market. 

The pair also analyses a tightly bunched Championship table ahead of Sam bringing shame to his hometown club with a relegation outright betting opportunity.

---

Israel vs Iceland Prediction 1: Israel Have The Cutting Edge

European Championship Qualifiers, Thursday, March 21st, 19:45 (UK)

This encounter isn’t the easiest in terms of calling a winner. Both nations have their flaws. Israel appears to have several individuals with extensive experience at the top level, which may give them a slight advantage. This clash is pivotal. Israel does have the edge in quality, in my opinion.

Israel was relatively strong in the group stage. They lost just three of their ten matches. Alon Hazan’s men took points off Switzerland and Romania, the two best sides. It’s a squad that has quality.

Iceland earned ten points from as many games in Group J. They lost six of those ten. Age Hareide’s side beat Liechtenstein home and away. They beat Bosnia 1-0 late on after losing the shot count and xG by 0.5 goals. Luxembourg held them to a draw. It’s not exactly convincing.

I’m happy to side with Israel. They have the edge for me. They had the better of Iceland in both meetings a couple of years ago. I’m sure Israel scores, but I can’t say the same about Iceland.

• Israel vs Iceland Prediction 1: Israel -0.25 Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.95
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

---

Israel vs Iceland Prediction 2: Bring On The Goals

Those two high-scoring encounters from 2022 do make the goal line an appealing bet. I  cannot trust Iceland’s defence. If we exclude the games against Liechtenstein, Iceland recorded a single clean sheet across eight matches. Even in that encounter, they were fortunate not to concede. If Israel finds a breakthrough early, then this game could open up.

Israel recorded a lowly two clean sheets from ten matches in 2023. Those arrived against Andorra and Belarus. They were 1.33 and 1.40 favourites, respectively. Kosovo (x2), Belarus and Andorra all found the back of the net in qualifying. Iceland must take some confidence from this.

In recent years, Israel has been fantastic for goals:

2022 World Cup Qualification – 10 Matches – 44 Goals

22/23 Nations League – 4 Matches – 14 Goals

Euro 2024 Qualification – 10 Matches – 22 Goals

They’re a side who knows where the back of the net is. Zahavi, Baribo, Gloukh and Weissman all pose a threat.

Iceland may have to go for it during the 90 minutes. It could become a frantic affair if desperation kicks in. I struggle to see how this clash doesn’t witness at least two strikes.

• Israel vs Iceland Prediction 2: Over 2.25 Goals Asian Goal Line (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.87
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

---

Israel vs Iceland Prediction 3: Eran Oozes Class

Eran Zahavi is still banging in the goals at the grand age of 36. The Israeli has been immense once again this term. Eran is in his second season with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He’s scored 34 goals in 58 league matches since joining from PSV. Our man has bagged 13 times in 14 outings across the Europa Conference League this term.

Israel will hope their talisman can continue his fine scoring form on Thursday night. Zahavi has proven to be an emphatic goal scorer throughout his entire career. He has shown no sign of slowing down. His record is just as impressive for the national team.

No player has scored more goals for Israel than Mr Zahavi. The legend has bagged 34 times in 65 appearances. He’s faced trickier defences than the one Iceland will line up with, so there’s no reason he can’t add to his record tally.

If Israel were to receive a penalty, that would be a boost. Zahavi is Israel’s designated penalty taker. There’s no bigger goal threat than Israel’s icon. The price is attractive for a man who hasn’t lost his touch.

• Israel vs Iceland Prediction 3: Eran Zahavi AGS (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.87
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

Israel vs Iceland Prediction odds via bet365 as at 17:00, March 18th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

---

Israel vs Iceland Team News and Possible Lineups: Strong Squads Battle It Out In Budapest

There don’t appear to be many injury concerns from either nation as they head into this vital encounter.

Dean David is the only obvious absentee. He’s not featured since early February at club level.

Israel has several players with experience at this level. Many players such as Glazer, Miguel Vitor, Goldberg, Peretz, Gloukh and Zahavi have featured in the Champions League in recent seasons. They have a strong core with a good attacking threat.

Iceland’s experience isn’t as broad as their opposition. Ingason, Gudmundsson, Thorsteinsson, Sampsted, Hylnsson and Haraldsson have played at impressive levels. The latter is the most talented player in the squad.

Israel possible starting lineup: Glazer; Dasa, Miguel Vitor, Goldberg, Revivo, Peretz, Lavi, Gloukh, Baribo, Weissman; Zahavi

Iceland possible starting lineup: Olafsson;  Sampsted, Ingason, Palsson, Finnsson, Willumsson, Traustason, Anderson, Haraldsson, Finnbogason; Thorsteinsson

---

Match Stats: Goals On The Agenda?

• Both meetings in the Nations League ended 2-2.
• Israel won the shot count 38-23 in the two meetings back in 2022.
• 33 goals were scored in Iceland’s ten group stage matches.
• Three players scored three times for Iceland in the group stage. Israel’s highest scorers ended with two.

---

Israel Fixtures: Ouch, That’s TOUGH!

• Vs Hungary (A)
• Vs Belgium (A)
• Vs Italy (H)
• Vs France (H)
• Vs Italy (A)

Iceland Fixtures: Montenegro The Standout From A Tough Bunch

• Vs England (A)
• Vs Netherlands (A)
• Vs Montenegro (H)
• Vs Turkey (A)
• Vs Wales (H)

---

Safer Gambling

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.