Norway vs Iceland: Preview and Prediction

By Kenneth Offor 

Norway vs Iceland:
International Friendly.
Date: Wednesday, 1 June 2016;
Kick-off: 18:45 GMT,
Venue: Ullevaal Stadion (Oslo).

After being flattened in a 3-0 defeat against Portugal, Norway will face another hard task as they welcome Iceland in an international friendly game on 1st day of June 2016 at Ullevaal Stadion Oslo.

Norway have been on the receiving end lately, they failed to qualify for the upcoming European competition and their last 5 games have been on the poor side. They have won just 1 of their last 5 games which was a 2-0 win against Finland, they have also drawn to Estonia but lost to Hungary home and away and finally were smashed 3-0 by a Ronaldo less Portugal last Friday. Norway will hope to get a home win against Iceland to at least make the fans happy before facing a Star studded Belgium on Sunday.

Iceland not just being the smallest nation to play a major tournament they beat Netherlands home and away in qualifying stages of Euro 2016 and finished 2nd in group A, they are seriously preparing for the tournament as they have played at least 5 friendly games this year. Though their last 5 games haven’t been rosy, it is a good sign for the Euro débutantes as they have lost 3 and won 2 which includes their 3-2 victory in Greece. They have scored in every of their last 5 games which shows

Norway: Predicted Line-up (4-4-2)

Jarstein – Hovland, Strandberg, Gunnarsson, Linnes – Fossum, Johansen, Henriksen, Jenssen – Diomande, King.

Iceland: Predicted Line-up (4-4-2)

Halldorsson – Arnason, Hermannsson, Magnusson, Ingason – Gudjohnsen, Sigurdsson, Bjarnason, Hallfredsson – Sigthorsson, Finnbogason.

Norway vs Iceland: Head-To-Head stats

Norway and Iceland have played 12 games together which Norway have won 5, lost 3 to Iceland and drew 4.

Norway have dominated their games recently, having lost once to Iceland since 1997 and won 3 times. At home, Norway have won 2 of their 6 games against Iceland and lost 1, they have drawn 3.

Norway vs Iceland: Prediction

Norway may have been superior in their previous meetings but now the game has changed. Iceland have developed into a well organised team compared to current Norway team, also they have a much better scoring record than Norway. We can expect Iceland to build on the win against Greece and remain unbeaten in Wednesday’s friendly.

Looking at it from another angle, Norway playing at home and just like a wounded lion; they could go on and beat Iceland. But that could only happen if Norway will address their poor scoring form.

I expect a win from Iceland but I think the game will be won in second half, a first half draw is a highly recommended bet.