In a highly anticipated Euro 2024 qualification playoff semi-final, Israel and Iceland are set to clash at the Szusza Ferenc Stadion in Budapest on March 21, 2024.
This encounter promises to be a riveting contest with both teams eyeing a spot in the final tournament's Group E, alongside Belgium, Slovakia, and Romania.
With a ticket to the Euro 2024 on the line, let’s delve into predictions, team news, and possible lineups for this crucial match-up.
Israel's Path to the Euros
Israel, under the guidance of Alon Hazan, narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for Euro 2024, finishing third in Group I.
However, their victory in the UEFA Nations League group stage last year has awarded them a 'home' semi-final opportunity against Iceland. Despite the game being played in Hungary, the Israel side remains optimistic.
The team has a strong record against Iceland, with two wins and three draws in their previous meetings.
However, they’ll be keen to avoid a repeat of their 2020 Euros qualifying heartbreak, where they lost to Scotland in a penalty shootout.
Iceland's Ambitious Ascent
Iceland, ranked 73rd by FIFA, barely scraped through to the playoff semi-final, finishing fourth in Group J.
Despite not winning any of their UEFA Nations League fixtures, they managed to secure their playoff spot, edging out Norway on goal difference.
Coach Age Hareide, who took over the reins nearly a year ago, has brought a new wave of optimism to the Nordic nation, believing firmly in his team's capability to make a mark in Germany.
Iceland's journey to the 2016 European Championships quarter-finals, which included a memorable victory over England, serves as a testament to their potential on the top European stage.
Team News and Predictions
Israel Team News
Israel will be without Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon due to injury, but Alon Hazan has called up Ido Shahar and Tomer Yosefi for potential debuts.
Oscar Gloukh could also see action, alongside Eran Zahavi, Israel’s all-time leading scorer.
Iceland Team News
For Iceland, Gylfi Sigurdsson’s exclusion has been a talking point, but newcomer Hakon Valdimarsson and Andri Gudjohnsen are expected to make significant contributions.
Prediction
Given the history between these two teams and their recent forms, the match is likely to be tightly contested, possibly extending beyond 90 minutes.
The last two encounters ended in draws, indicating another close match. However, with Iceland’s resilience and Israel’s determination, this playoff could tilt in favour of Iceland, potentially on penalties.
Scoreline Prediction: Israel 0 - Iceland 0 (Iceland win on penalties)
FAQs
Where will the match take place? The match will be held at the Szusza Ferenc Stadion in Budapest, Hungary.
What’s at stake for Israel and Iceland? The winner will progress to the playoff final for a spot in Euro 2024’s Group E.
Have Israel and Iceland met before? Yes, they have faced each other five times, with Israel winning two and drawing three matches.
What makes this match significant for both teams? Both teams are vying for a chance to secure a place in the Euro 2024, making this a crucial encounter in their footballing calendars.
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