Slovakia vs Iceland Predictions: Falcons set to seal qualification

Portugal's dominance of Euro 2024 qualifying Group J has led to a real fight for the second qualifying spot, with Slovakia leading the way.

October's 1-0 win over Luxembourg means the Falcons will join the Selecao at next summer's finals if they avoid defeat against Iceland on Thursday.

Iceland need to win both this match and their trip to Lisbon on Sunday to qualify, with Our Boys' mixed Nations League record meaning they lack the cushion of a play-off to fall back on.

The same is true for Slovakia and they will be desperate to ensure they leave nothing to chance, especially with a tricky trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina in their final qualifier.

Team News

Slovakia have recalled winger Lukas Haraslin, who missed October's matches due to injury, but are without Matus Bero and Adam Zrelak.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Mikael Anderson both miss out for Iceland, with Andri Gudjohnsen and Mikael Egill Ellertsson replacing them in the squad.

Their main attacking threat will likely come from Kristian Hylnsson, who has netted twice to provide some rare optimism in an otherwise disastrous season for his club, Ajax.

Match Odds

Slovakia are 8/11 to win Thursday's game, with the draw 13/5 and Iceland available at 4/1.

The Falcons have kept clean sheets in four of their last five home games and a 'No' in Both Teams to Score is 8/11.

That said, a 'Yes' in that market has been produced in the pair's four previous meetings and is EVS, while over 2.5 goals for the fourth time in five meetings since 2008 is priced up at 11/10.

Slovakia to win to nil @ 13/8

A draw will be enough for Slovakia, but boss Francesco Calzona has told his players that they must "play for three points, not one".

The Falcons won June's reverse fixture 2-1 in Reykjavik and will be looking to use the raucous atmosphere expected at Národný futbalový štadión to seal qualification for the European Championships in a row.

Iceland were also debutants in 2016, but missed out in 2020 and again look set to fall short in Bratislava.

Slovakia have only conceded once at home during the current qualifying campaign and could grind out another victory, with 2-0 a Correct Score contender at 13/2.

Ondrej Duda anytime goalscorer @ 11/4

Ondrej Duda forms part of a talented midfield trio for Slovakia alongside Stanislav Lobotka and Juraj Kucka. Those two provide the steel and energy to Duda's guile and he is benefiting from playing deeper for both his country and at club level with Verona.

The 28-year-old's movement has always been his strength, with his flexibility enabling him to play across the frontline and in behind before recently settling into a more orthodox midfield role.

Iceland have a habit of becoming over-reliant on their structure and Duda's ability to both drift in between opposition defences and midfields, as well as occasionally go beyond his forwards, means the ingredients are there for him to grab a second goal of the current qualifying campaign.

Check out the rest of our Euro 2024 Tips here.