Iceland vs Turkey: Preview and Prediction

Iceland vs Turkey
European Qualifiers – 2018 World Cup
Date: Sunday, 9th October 2016
Kick-off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik.

Iceland are enjoying an unbeaten run in the World Cup qualifying campaign, they are 2nd in the group I table with same point as the leaders Croatia. They will be hosting Turkey on Sunday as they prepare to maintain their good record.

Iceland defeated Finland 3-2 at home on Thursday, a result that kept them 2nd in the group table behind Croatia. Iceland’s victory came with a struggle as they came from behind to win the game. Iceland went down twice in the game, with K. Arnason equalizing the first goals while A. Finnbogason’s 90th minute equalizer and Sigurdsson’s injury time goal ensured a win for them. They will be aiming for another win to get a chance of going top of the table.

Turkey had a second successive stalemate as they played 2-2 draw at home against Ukraine. The Turkish team were lucky as Calhanoglu’s spot kick rescued a point for them in the 81st minute.

Turkey were already 2 goals down just 27 minutes into the game, but O. Tofan pulled 1 back just before half-time while Calhanoglu equalized later. A win in this game will put Turkey ahead of their host in the group table.

Iceland vs Turkey: Head to Head Statistics

Iceland have had the most victory in their previous 9 games, they have won 5 games while Turkey have won 2.
At home, Iceland have won 4 games against Turkey and lost none.
Also Iceland have a good scoring record at home against Turkey, they have scored 12 goals and conceded 2.
Their last game was a 1-0 win for Turkey in 2015

Iceland vs Turkey: Prediction

There are no favourite in this game despite Iceland’s good form recently, the game could o either way. Both teams involved have lost just a game in their last 5 games, but Iceland have won 3 of their last 5 games. Also Iceland have scored at least 2 goals in 4 of their last 5 games. Meanwhile, Turkey have played 3 consecutive draws in their last 3 games. So expect both teams to get on the score sheet.