The set-up in Group I of the UEFA phase of qualifying for Word Cup 2018 is simple: Kosovo and Finland are eliminated, and they are now merely playing for pride, and that leaves four teams – Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey and Croatia battling it out for the two possible qualification places.
It is the archetypal ‘group of death’: Iceland reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, Turkey and Croatia perennially reach World Cups and Ukraine are a tough nut to crack – especially on home soil.
The state of play reads like this: Ukraine and Turkey are tied in third place with eleven points, with Iceland and Croatia locked on thirteen. The double-header of fixtures early in September sees Croatia and Turkey meet on September 5 in Eskisehir, while on the same day Iceland and Ukraine lock horns in Reykjavik.
That latter fixture will have a huge bearing on who experiences joy and who suffers misery in the pursuit of a place in Russia, so who will gain the advantage in Iceland?
1. Iceland v Ukraine - Betting Predictions for the game
We mentioned that the Ukrainians are typically a lot better when playing at home, and that is reflected in the odds supplied by the bookmakers ahead of their trip to Reykjavik.
Iceland are the comfortable favourites with the sportsbooks on home soil, and can be backed at 9/5 to claim a much-needed three-point haul on September 5.
Right now the Ukrainians are also priced at 9/5, with the draw available at 11/5.
2. Where the Money Is - Tips and Analysis
It’s easy to make a case for Iceland here. They’ve won seven of their last ten games, and have lost just two of their last eighteen outings on home soil. They were considered the surprise package of Euro 2016 in qualifying for the last eight, but their form over the past few years suggests nobody should have been shocked by their progress.
Ukraine at home and away are two different propositions. On their own turf they’ve won six of their last ten – keeping clean sheets in all of those, while away from home they are running at W5 D3 L2, although it should be noted they have won just two of their last six competitive matches on foreign soil.
So it’s advantage Iceland then, although punters will note that in three meetings they have never beaten Ukraine.
The Icelanders have won all three of their home matches in World Cup 2018 qualifying, including 1-0 and 2-0 triumphs over Croatia and Turkey respectively.
Ukraine, meanwhile, have won one of their away matches in Group I – 3-2 at Finland, drawn 2-2 in Turkey and lost 0-1 in Croatia. So they are no pushovers by any means, and while we wouldn’t expect them to beat Iceland they will still be a tough opponent for the home side.
Iceland are a well-drilled outfit lacking in genuine star quality, perhaps Gylfi Sigurdsson apart, whereas Ukraine have some excellent individuals in Yevhen Konopylanka and Andriy Yarmolenko.
Iceland vs Ukraine Predictions Betting Tips and Odds
The set-up in Group I of the UEFA phase of qualifying for Word Cup 2018 is simple: Kosovo and Finland are eliminated, and they are now merely playing for pride, and that leaves four teams – Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey and Croatia battling it out for the two possible qualification places.
It is the archetypal ‘group of death’: Iceland reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, Turkey and Croatia perennially reach World Cups and Ukraine are a tough nut to crack – especially on home soil.
The state of play reads like this: Ukraine and Turkey are tied in third place with eleven points, with Iceland and Croatia locked on thirteen. The double-header of fixtures early in September sees Croatia and Turkey meet on September 5 in Eskisehir, while on the same day Iceland and Ukraine lock horns in Reykjavik.
That latter fixture will have a huge bearing on who experiences joy and who suffers misery in the pursuit of a place in Russia, so who will gain the advantage in Iceland?
Contents
1. Iceland v Ukraine - Betting Predictions for the game
We mentioned that the Ukrainians are typically a lot better when playing at home, and that is reflected in the odds supplied by the bookmakers ahead of their trip to Reykjavik.
Iceland are the comfortable favourites with the sportsbooks on home soil, and can be backed at 9/5 to claim a much-needed three-point haul on September 5.
Right now the Ukrainians are also priced at 9/5, with the draw available at 11/5.
2. Where the Money Is - Tips and Analysis
It’s easy to make a case for Iceland here. They’ve won seven of their last ten games, and have lost just two of their last eighteen outings on home soil. They were considered the surprise package of Euro 2016 in qualifying for the last eight, but their form over the past few years suggests nobody should have been shocked by their progress.
Ukraine at home and away are two different propositions. On their own turf they’ve won six of their last ten – keeping clean sheets in all of those, while away from home they are running at W5 D3 L2, although it should be noted they have won just two of their last six competitive matches on foreign soil.
So it’s advantage Iceland then, although punters will note that in three meetings they have never beaten Ukraine.
The Icelanders have won all three of their home matches in World Cup 2018 qualifying, including 1-0 and 2-0 triumphs over Croatia and Turkey respectively.
Ukraine, meanwhile, have won one of their away matches in Group I – 3-2 at Finland, drawn 2-2 in Turkey and lost 0-1 in Croatia. So they are no pushovers by any means, and while we wouldn’t expect them to beat Iceland they will still be a tough opponent for the home side.
Iceland are a well-drilled outfit lacking in genuine star quality, perhaps Gylfi Sigurdsson apart, whereas Ukraine have some excellent individuals in Yevhen Konopylanka and Andriy Yarmolenko.