Prediction: Iceland vs Portugal

Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to extend on their EURO qualifying romp on Tuesday night, Portugal will travel to Reykjavik when they meet Group J rivals Iceland.

Iceland

Starting with the hosts, while Iceland might have signed off March’s international break with a routine 7-0 romp away at Group J whipping boys Liechtenstein, it appears that might have been just a minor boost for Age Hareide’s downbeat squad. Crashing immediately back down to earth last week as they marked their return to qualifying duties with a sluggish 2-1 defeat at home against Slovakia, it is no secret that the Blues are seen as a landslide underdog to clinch a European Championship return. Opening their Group J campaign with a woeful 3-0 drumming away at Bosnia & Herzegovina on March 23rd, Iceland have managed to muster just a single victory in 90 minutes from their previous 10 straight appearances across all competitions. With that extended wobble stemming all the way back to a 1-0 friendly win against Venezuela nine months ago, there is no doubt that Hareide’s squad will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge on Tuesday night.

Team News

Bagging a consolation strike against Slovakia last week and notching his first qualifying goal, former Augsburg striker Alfred Finnbogason will once again spearhead Iceland’s charge on Tuesday night. Impressing off the bench with a 28-minute cameo appearance, 20-year-old Hakon Arnar Haraldsson will be hoping to make a full return here.

One-time Hibernian defender Victor Palsson will once again partner PAOK’s Sverrir Ingi Ingason at the back. Likewise, cementing his spot as Iceland’s number one, Arsenal back-up keeper Runar Alex Runarsson will start between the sticks in Reykjavik.

Portugal

As for the visitors, while Portugal might have come under plenty of criticism following their World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Morocco over the winter, the former European champions have come roaring back in some style. Only continuing to shine since they appointed ex-Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, the Navigators have won each of their first three Group J appearances and they are tipped as a runaway favourite to clinch top spot. Marking their return to qualifying duties last week as they eventually breezed their way to a 3-0 romp at home against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Portugal have won each of those three Group J appearances by an aggregate score of 13-0. With that stellar flurry highlighted by a 6-0 victory away at Luxembourg on March 26th, Martinez’s high-flying squad will be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Showing a major clinical edge in the final third and travelling to Reykjavik riding a recent wave of momentum, the Reds know just how important another qualifying victory in midweek will be.

Team News

Once again finding the net against Bosnia & Herzegovina last week and getting on the scoresheet in each of his last three international appearances, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva will have a key role to play here. The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Joao Cancelo and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo are all expected to feature in Reykjavik on Tuesday night.

Heavily linked with a potential blockbuster move to Premier League giants Manchester United this summer, Porto’s Diogo Costa will once again start between the sticks. Likewise, Ruben Dias will be joined by Danilo Pereira and Antonio Silva at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including their 3-0 romp at home against Bosnia & Herzegovina last week, Portugal have won each of their first three Group J appearances by an aggregate score of 13-0.
• Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva has found the net in each of his last three international appearances on the bounce.
• On a run that stems back over the past nine months, Iceland have managed to muster just a single win within 90 minutes from their last 10 straight matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, Tuesday’s hosts have also recorded just one win from their previous six appearances on home soil.
• The previous three meetings between Iceland and Portugal have produced 14 goals between them.

Conclusion

Marking their return to Group J action last week as they claimed a routine 3-0 romp at home against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Portugal have certainly continued on a hugely impressive resurge since they appointed Martinez earlier in the year. Winning each of their first three qualifying appearances by an aggregate score of 13-0, the former European champions will be smelling the chance to make another statement on Tuesday night. Appearing to breeze their way to top spot in Group J, Portugal will be looking to cash in on an Iceland squad that came immediately crashing back down to earth last week. Hit with a 2-1 loss at home against Slovakia and mustering just a single win within 90 minutes from their last 10 matchups across all competitions, we are backing an away victory in Reykjavik.

Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet