Prediction: Iceland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Facing what is a must-win showdown on Monday night, Bosnia & Herzegovina will travel to Reykjavik when they meet Iceland.

Iceland

Starting with the hosts, while Iceland might have gained plenty if plaudits last year during their Nations League flurry, it is no secret that Age Hareide’s men are in the midst of a major qualifying nightmare. Although the Blues might have claimed a stellar 7-0 romp away at Group J whipping boys Liechtenstein back on March 26th, that result was nothing more than a minor boost. Last seen marking their return to qualifying duties over the weekend with another worrying performance as they were hit with a routine 3-1 drumming at the hands of Luxembourg, the one-time Denmark boss certainly finds some real pressure on his shoulders. In fact, along with signing off June’s international break with a 1-0 loss at home against European heavyweights Portugal, Iceland have lost four of their opening five qualifying appearances this year. Quickly gaining a reputation for their rather glaring defensive issues, Monday’s hosts are desperately seeking some kind of boost.

Team News

Shown a second-half red card away at Luxembourg over the weekend, Iceland will be unable to call upon Hordur Magnusson on Monday night as the 30-year-old defender serves a one-match suspension here.

Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike while out in Luxembourg a few days ago, new Lille midfielder Hakon Arnar Haraldsson will certainly have another key role to play here. One-time Real Sociedad striker Alfred Finnbogasson will spearhead Iceland’s charge in Reykjavik.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

As for the visitors, while Bosnia & Herzegovina might have also failed to find much stability during their qualifying adventure this year, the Dragons certainly claimed a welcomed boost over the weekend. Eventually landing what was a crucial 2-1 win at home against Liechtenstein, Meho Kodro’s side will be desperate to spring a potential upset here. Drawing a line under their three-match losing run, Monday’s guests will still know that they face a real uphill battle in their bid to claim a famous top-two finish. However, hoping to clinch back-to-back victories for the first time since opening 2023, Bosnia will be excited by their most recent showdown against their Group A rivals. Putting in what was a remarkable performance when they welcomed Iceland to Zenica for their reverse qualifying matchup back on March 22nd, Kodro’s side breezed their way to a 3-0 romp.

Team News

Finding the net against Liechtenstein a few days ago and notching his first qualifying strike of the year, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko will once again spearhead Bosnia’s charge on Monday night.

Now playing his domestic football with UAE-based outfit Al Sharjah, one-time Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic will earn his 111th international cap here. The 33-year-old will be joined in the middle of the park by AC Milan’s Rade Krunic.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse qualifying showdown back on March 22nd, Bosnia & Herzegovina stormed their way to a 3-0 romp on home soil.
• Including a 3-1 loss against Luxembourg over the weekend, Iceland have lost four of their five Group J appearances this year.
• Landing a crucial 2-1 win at home against Liechtenstein a few days ago, that result drew a line under Bosnia’s three-match losing run.
• Monday’s hosts have managed to muster just a single clean sheet from any of their last eight appearances across all formats.
• Bosnia’s last three away victories have produced 10 goals at both ends of the pitch.

Conclusion

Managing to make a crucial return to winning ways over the weekend as they landed a much-needed 2-1 win against Liechtenstein, Bosnia & Herzegovina face another must-win showdown here. Landing that stellar 3-0 romp when they welcomed Iceland to Zenica for their reverse qualifying matchup back on March 22nd, the Dragons will be looking to cash in on Hareide’s struggling squad. However, it should be noted, with Monday’s guests seeing just their last three away fixtures produce 10 strikes at both ends of the pitch, we could be treated to an enjoyable affair here.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Dachbet