Iceland vs Belgium

UEFA Nations League – Iceland vs Belgium Match Preview

Another league A match and this one is one of the rare ones where the difference in class between the two sides is huge. Iceland don’t really belong here if we’re being honest, it shown in the first game against Switzerland when they lost 6-0 and their form in general recently shouldn’t make us expect any surprises from them here. Belgium, meanwhile are in fantastic form, they backed up their great world cup with a 0-4 win at Scotland who are similar level to Iceland. Hazard and Lukaku are in banging form and they are rightly the massive favourites here to win.

Key Facts

Iceland are currently winless in 8 straight games if you include friendlies. They have 2D and 6L.

In those 8 straight games Iceland have a very bad defensive record. They’ve conceded 22 goals in these last 8 games having conceded 2 or more in 7 of those games.

Of those 8 matches, 4 of those were competitive and Iceland went 0W 1D 3L in those. Only draw coming at the world cup against Argentina. They lost to Nigeria Croatia and Switzerland. They’ve conceded 11 goals in those 4 games

Ever since the world cup qualifiers, Iceland have kept only one clean sheet in 12 games.

Iceland do however have a very good home record. Unbeaten at home in competitive matches since 2013.

Iceland and Belgium have met 9 times before. Belgium won all 9 meetings most recently 3-1 in 2014.

Belgium have scored 25 goals in their previous 10 matches. They scored 15 goals in the 7 world cup games they played in. Fantastic goal scoring form.

Eden Hazard is currently the most in form Belgian player. Has scored or assisted at least once in every game this season for club and country. Had 1G 1A against Scotland most recently.

Belgium have a fantastic away record. They’ve not lost an away game since 2016 March to Portugal. Unbeaten in 9 straight away games.

Team News

Iceland: There aren’t many injuries to report from Iceland and the team they’ve brought to this international break does feature most key players although Finbogasson and Gudmunsson won’t feature. We should however, expect some changes from the game against Switzerland especially at the back. Arnason and Magnuon are expected to take starting places over Ingason and Skulason. We may see more rotations elsewhere and a formation change too from Iceland but one thing that is a definite is that the back line will get rotated, they simply can’t go into the Belgium game with the same exact team because they’ll get washed again. Iceland biggest threat at goal will be direct play with long balls and set pieces. They are always capable of doing damage playing like that.

Belgium: Martinez has a full strength squad at his disposal this time, except from Kevin de Bruyne who of course is our for another couple months. We saw a slightly rotated Belgium side with players such as Carrasco, Witsel, Meunier, Aldeiweireld all starting the game on the bench but it didn’t affect them as they still won 0-4. We should expect all of them to be back for this game now, although Carrasco may be one of the players that won’t get in due to Thorgan Hazard’s solid performance against Scotland. Otherwise we should expect Aldeiweireld to get in over Boyata, Witsel to get in over either Dembele or Tielemans and Meunier should definitely get in the team over Castagne. Up front we should expect the main trio of Hazard Lukaku and Mertens. It’s a very strong Belgian side and even without KDB they are going to be expected to run riot. Same 3-4-3 formation will be used like at the world cup and yeah the expectations are very high now to perform well for Belgium. They’ll be on the front foot for the most of the game.

Betting Tips and Predictions

All odds based on TonyBet and are subject to change by the time the match starts. So we have two teams who are completely different in terms of ability. Belgium are clearly the superior side here and many expect them to wash Iceland who are in terrible form. The only thing that Iceland got going here really is their 5 year unbeaten home streak in competitive matches otherwise everything favours Belgium. They’re better, their form is superior, they literally won every H2H match over Iceland and their away from is actually very good so they know how to deal with a tough away day like this one. Our first pick is Belgium -1.5 AH. Belgium’s goal scoring form currently is insanely good and with the form that Hazard and Lukaku are showing we shouldn’t expect anything other than a dominant win by Belgium plus Iceland’s confidence could be completely shattered after that 6-0 loss to Switzerland. Over 2.5 goals at 1.75 is another pick we’re offering. 9 of last 10 Iceland’s game had an over while 7 of past 10 Belgium games had an over so the stats are in our favour clearly, over 3.5 at 2.85 is even worth the risk. We simply see a dominant 0-3/0-4 Belgium win here. Hazard and Lukaku will both get on the scoresheet, and Batshuayi will get one of the bench too.

Match Odds (TonyBet)

Iceland Win – 9.50

Draw – 5.55

Belgium Win – 1.30

KICK OFF – 11th September 2018 – 7:45pm UK Time