This week sees the start of another UEFA Nations League campaign and Thursday evening features this upcoming clash in League B Group 2 between Israel and Iceland at Sammy Ofer Stadium with both teams looking to get out of what looks a tough group.
The other nations in the group are Albania and Russia although it’s unclear as to what extent Russia’s involvement will be in this campaign.
Last training session before heading off to Israel where we play in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday. 🇮🇱⚽️🇮🇸 #fyririsland pic.twitter.com/0g9LAurp4h— Knattspyrnusambandið (@footballiceland) May 31, 2022
Last training session before heading off to Israel where we play in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday. 🇮🇱⚽️🇮🇸 #fyririsland pic.twitter.com/0g9LAurp4h
But Israel will definitely be keen to make a positive start to this Nations League tournament as the hosts have struggled in recent times in internationals.
Israel have registered just two wins out of their last seven matches overall which came in the form of victories over minnows, Moldova and Faroe Islands, while also slipping to four defeats as well within this seven-match period.
Losses to Denmark, Scotland, Austria and Germany suggest that Israel may be vulnerable right now and could be shaken if Iceland manage to score the first goal (if indeed a goal is scored that is).
Goals look fairly likely though as each of Israel’s last four home games have all resulted in over 2.5 goals scored.
Iceland head into this upcoming clash in Group 2 of League B without a win in their last six matches overall, while also gaining just one win out of their previous 12 games overall, that coming in a 4-0 rout over Liechtenstein at home.
However, Iceland have also suffered heavy losses in the shape of a 3-1 defeat to North Macedonia 3-1, a 5-1 thrashing from South Korea and then a comprehensive 5-0 loss to Spain.
So the visitors’ confidence may be fragile at best ahead of Thursday evening’s encounter at the Sammy Ofer Stadium.
Goals may feature where Iceland have been concerned though as seven of Iceland’s last 12 matches in all competitions have seen 3 goals or more scored.
While Iceland have managed to pick up just two wins in their last 14 outings on the road.
Therefore, the prospects of an away win here seem unlikely especially as Iceland have lost nine of these previous 12 away games, with no fewer than 10 of these games also resulting in over 2.5 goals scored as well.
This could be an entertaining fixture on Thursday evening.