Israel make the trip to Iceland for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixture with the opportunity to move to the brink of promotion to the top tier.

However, with Iceland trailing the visitors by just two points in league B Group 2, things could change significantly with one game remaining.

Match preview

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With Russia having been thrown out of the competition due to the military invasion of Ukraine, it left Israel has the favourites to claim top spot in a three-nation group.

They certainly have not had it their own way, a 2-2 draw with Iceland on matchday one being followed by a comeback victory over Albania on Friday.

Nevertheless, with just two games remaining, Israel can almost secure first place, a win forcing Albania to win both of their remaining fixtures.

Israel's four goals have been shared around, a Manor Solomon double proving the difference versus Albania after the home side had initially taken a 1-0 lead.

That success also ended a run of four successive defeats, and their solitary loss in five outings came by a 2-0 scoreline in a friendly with Germany.

From Iceland's perspective, they have found wins difficult to come by of late, Thursday's 1-0 victory in San Marino representing their first since October 11.

On a more positive note, five draws came during an eight-game period, the most recent being a comeback 1-1 draw with Albania on Monday.

However, Iceland have won just two home fixtures over the past 20 months, their solitary win on familiar territory since the beginning of 2021 being against Liechtenstein.

Team News

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Having made changes for the narrow win over San Marino, Arnar Vidarsson will revert back to the majority of the team which drew with Albania.

Aron Elis Thrandarson scored the only goal of that fixture and it may be enough to earn him an opportunity in the centre of midfield.

Real Madrid youngster Andri Gudjohnsen appears likely to keep his spot in the centre of the attack.

Sun Menahem is expected to be drafted into the Israel XI after left-back Doron Leidner sustained an injury versus Albania.

The same can be said of Shon Weissman with Munus Dabbur in line to return in the final third, while Dan Glazer should deputise for the suspended Eden Karzev.

Iceland possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Sampsted, Magnusson, Gretarsson, Olafsson; Johannesson, Bjarnason, Thrandarson; Sigurdsson, Gudjohnsen, Thorsteinsson

Israel possible starting lineup:
Marciano; Dasa, Vitor, Goldberg, Menahem; Jaber, Glazer, Peretz; Abada, Dabbur, Solomon

We say: Iceland 1-2 Israel

With both teams heading into this fixture unbeaten, there will be a certain level of respect during the early stages. Nevertheless, we feel that the visitors possess the better quality in all areas, leading us to predict a hard-fought win by the odd goal in three.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Darren Plant

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