Iceland vs Ukraine Prediction: A right old battle in Reykjavik

A big game is taking place in Group D of Uefa World Cup qualifying on Friday (19:45 BST), as Iceland host Ukraine at Laugardalsvollur in Reykjavik. With current leaders France expected to take top spot, it looks likely to be a two-way battle for second between Our Boys and the Blue and Yellow, who are on three points and one point, respectively, after two games played.

Below are my Iceland vs Ukraine predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Iceland's England-based continent of Hakon Valdimarsson (Brentford), Stefan Teitur Thordarson (Preston North End) and Andri Gudjohnsen (Blackburn Rovers) have all been called up for October internationals against Ukraine and France.

However, Birmingham City's Willum Thor Willumsson, who didn't come off the bench in either of last month's qualifiers, the 5-0 win over Azerbaijan or the 2-1 defeat to France, isn't involved due to injury.

Like Willumsson, Iceland skipper Orri Oskarsson (Real Sociedad) hasn't featured for his club side since August, and the 21-year-old forward remains sidelined.

All-time appearance maker Aron Gunnarsson (Al-Gharafa) has been named in Arnar Gunnlaugsson's squad, though, as have Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (LOSC Lille) and Albert Gudmunsson (Genoa).

Football Odds

Serhiy Rebrov's Ukraine squad is headlined by Illia Zabarnyi (Paris Saint-Germain), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Arsenal) and Artem Dovbyk (AS Roma).

Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid) is out injured, though, as is striker Roman Yaremchuk (Olympiakos).

Today's Football Fixtures

Iceland vs Ukraine Odds

Iceland, who won 2-0 in the last Reykjavik head-to-head between these two nations in September 2017, are 15/8, or a 34.8% chance, to triumph on home soil again, while Ukraine, who beat Our Boys 2-1 in Wroclaw last year, are 6/4 (40%) to claim their first Group D victory.

The draw is priced at 11/5, both teams to score at 4/5, and over 2.5 total goals at 11/10.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 4/5

Iceland haven't encountered many issues scoring in the past 12 months or so, finding the net in 11 of their last 12 games, including in a 2-1 defeat away to France last month.

Unfortunately for Our Boys, they've struggled to keep many clean sheets, either, recording just three shutouts in that run, and only one in their last seven.

It means, though, that BTTS-Yes has been common, with the selection landing in eight of their last 12 matches.

Both teams scoring has been a regular feature of Ukraine games, too; nine of their last 12 internationals have seen both teams find the net.

Ukraine beat Iceland 2-1 in a Euro 2024 play-off tie last year, and with both sides looking for a win on Friday to boost their top-two hopes, we should see plenty of goalmouth action, helping to land the above selection.

Booking Points Over/Under +42.5 - Over 42.5 @ 11/10

Last year's head-to-head produced 50 booking points, with Ukraine handed two yellow cards (20 booking points), and Iceland issued three (30 booking points).

Both sides saw their last qualifier end with 50+ booking points, with 75 amassed in Iceland's defeat to France, and 60 awarded in Ukraine's 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan.

As previously discussed, Friday's game is a huge one for both nations, who are vying to finish as runners-up to France in Group D, so expect a big battle in Reykjavik.

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