Denmark vs Iceland Prediction and Preview – 24/03/16
International Friendly preview – Denmark vs Iceland prediction.
Celtic defender Erik Sviatchenko has been recalled to the Denmark squad after impressing in Scotland following his move from FC Midtjylland in January. Danish player of the year Christian Erikson is among a number of English-based players who could feature against Iceland on Thursday with Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel, Aston Villa defender Jores Okore and Brentford’s Lasse Vibe also receiving call ups. Schalke’s starlet Pierre Emile Hojbjerg joins the squad and at just 20-years-old is being touted as Denmark’s key player for the future.
Iceland joint managers Lars Lagerback and Heimir Hallgrimsson have named an experienced squad for the trip to Denmark and there is no place for central defenders Hallgrimur Jonasson and Jon Fjoluson who played in the 3-2 defeat to USA in California two months ago. Kolbeinn Sigborsson has had a quiet season with French Ligue 1 side Nantes but gets a call up on the strength of his 18 goals in 35 appearances for the national side.
Possible Line-ups
Denmark 4-2-3-1 formation: Schmeichel; Jacobsen, Kjaer, Agger, Durmisi; Hojbjerg, Delaney; Poulsen, Eriksen, Krohn-Dehli; Bendtner
Iceland 4-3-3 formation: Kristinsson; Saevarsson, Arnason, Sigurdsson, Skulason; Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Sigurdsson; Bodvarsson, Sigborsson, Bjamason
Statistics
- Denmark have won 3 drawn 3 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Iceland have won 3 drawn 2 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Denmark have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Iceland have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Denmark’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Iceland’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Denmark missed out on the European Championships when losing 4-3 to Sweden over two legs in the playoffs last November. The Danes had finished third in a five-nation group won by Portugal with Albania taking the automatic qualifying place. Denmark have not won in six games since defeating Serbia 2-0 in Copenhagen last June, having drawn three and lost three.
Iceland were surprise qualifiers for Euro 2016, finishing above Netherlands and Turkey as runners up to Czech Republic in Group A. They lost the last group game 1-0 in Turkey and have won one of the subsequent five friendly matches which have all been away from home. Iceland have never beaten Denmark but they have not met since the qualifying stage of Euro 2012 when they lost both group games without scoring.
Iceland will be more focused as their players look to cement a place in the finals but will have to up their game against Denmark who have been vying against higher ranked nations in recent matches.
Tips
Draw at 13/5 with Marathonbet
Under 2.5 goals at 18/25 with Marathonbet
Correct Score 1-1 at 13/2 with BetVictor
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