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Aron Wright - May 31, 2018
Iceland vs Norway
International Friendlies
Date: Saturday, 2 June 2018
Kick-Off at 21:00 UK / 22:00 CET
Venue: Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik.
Iceland host Scandinavian rivals Norway in the first of two warm-up tests ahead of their maiden appearance at the World Cup. It will be very interesting to see if Heimir Hallgrimsson and his men will be able to repeat the huge success from the EURO 2016 in France. Making it to the knockout stage will be quite a serious challenge given their group is consistent of the likes of Croatia, Argentina and Nigeria.
The most recent set of friendlies is, however, anything but promising as Iceland conceded three goals in each of the back-to-back defeats to Mexico and Peru in March. This is why Hallgrimsson’s troops will be highly motivated to boost up the confidence with a victory over Norway here.
The story is somewhat opposite with the visitors who have had a dreadful campaign in the WC Qualifications. Norway made a horrific start to the campaign which is why the streak of three wins from last four games could not climb them higher than fourth in the group standings. However, Lars Lagerback’s men raised the spirits in March friendlies clinching wins over Australia and Albania.
Norway will be without Ola Kamara who bagged a hat-trick in a demolishing 4-1 victory over the World Cup contestant Australia in March. The MLS season has started just recently and the striker was left out to help LA Galaxy raise the form.
Hallgrimsson will, on the other side, have the luxury of a squad with the names of Alfred Finnbogason, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Birkir Bjarnason available. The hosts will be more motivated to get the result here and lift the spirits ahead of the World Cup, meaning we have to find value in the 2.05 odds offered for Iceland’s win here.
Since six of last eight head to head games saw goals at both ends, we will alternatively back this bet at the sky-high 2.00 odds.
