Euro Qualifying Play-Off Semifinal: Israel vs Iceland Odds
No Home Field Advantage for Israel
Winner Takes on Bosnia or Ukraine
Israel “host” Iceland in Thursday’s Euro Qualifying Play-off Semifinal but the match will be played in Budapest, Hungary. Without a hostile crowd in their way, visitors Iceland will feel they have a solid chance to advance. The winner will take on the winner of Bosnia vs. Ukraine in next Tuesday’s Path B final with a chance to qualify for this Summer’s Euros. Iceland famously made the Euro Quarter-final eight years ago but Israel are yet to qualify for the full tournament. With a spot in the Qualifying Play-off Final on the line, we’ll preview the Israel vs Iceland odds.
Israel vs Iceland
Date, time:
Location: Ferenc Szusza Stadium, Budapest, Hungary
Israel vs Iceland Head-to-Head
Historically, the scores and odds in this fixture have favored Israel. Israel have scored at least two goals in each of the previous five meetings and hold an unbeaten 2-3-0 record vs. Iceland. This is the third chance to bet on the Israel vs Iceland odds in the last few years. The two sides were in the same group in the 22/23 UEFA Nations League and both meetings finished in 2-2 draws. In fact, both teams have scored at least twice in four of the five matchups.
Weissman and Gloukh Two to Watch for Israel
Israel started out in UEFA Nations League C when the competition started in 2018-19. Now, in 2024-25 they’ll be playing in Nations League A among UEFA’s best teams. In Nations League B, Israel went 2-2-0 in 2022-23 and topped their group, which Russia was disqualified from. Israel were also just three points away from automatic qualification to Euro 2024 in Group I.
In ten matches on the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying schedule, Israel went 4-3-3 and conceded more than one goal in only one match. Shon Weissman was joint-leader in goals in both the Nations League and Euro Qualifying campaign. Now at Salernitana, he’s likely to lead the line for Israel on Thursday. However, Tottenham’s Manor Solomon has missed a lot of time with a knee injury and won’t be available. Solomon, a winger, is one of Israel’s best players when healthy.
This could be the last hurrah for 36-year old forward Eran Zahavi, who is the Israel national team’s all-time leading scorer. Israel did make the U-21 World Cup final in 2023 and Oscar Gloukh was at the center of their success. The RB Salzburg midfielder is still only 19 and he could be on the move to one of Europe’s big clubs sometime soon. While Israel have participated in one World Cup, they’ve never before made the Euros.
Iceland Struggling in Recent Competitive Games
Iceland underperformed in Euro qualifiers. In the Group J UEFA Euro standings in qualifiers, Iceland finished in fourth place of six teams, with a 3-1-6 record. Over half of Iceland’s goals came in two matches vs. Liechtenstein and they were 1-4 on the road. This isn’t a traditional road game, more of a neutral site one, but Iceland have conceded nine goals and scored just three in their last three road matches.
In the UEFA Nations League, Iceland also drew all four of their matches which means they’ve won just three of their last 18 competitive matches in 90 minutes. Defender Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson is out due to an ACL tear and goalkeeper Alex Runar Runarsson is also not in the squad. Runarsson started in net for seven of Iceland’s 10 Euro qualifiers.
In qualifiers, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Alfreð Finnbogason and Aron Gunnarsson led Iceland with three goals apiece. Haraldsson and Victor Palsson were the only two Iceland players to appear in every match. Bettors should keep an eye on Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson, who’s one of Iceland’s most talented players.
Israel vs Iceland Match Analysis & Odds
Whoever wins this match will likely be the underdog for the Play-off final. Ukraine are the favorites to emerge from Path B, with an even money shot. Israel and Bosnia both show +350 odds to qualify for the Euros but Iceland are +450 underdogs. Even though this match is not being played in Israel, “hosts” Israel are +125 favorites. They’re in better form heading into this one and have picked up some good results since drawing twice with Iceland in 2022.
Here, the Israel vs Iceland odds list Iceland as +230 underdogs and a draw shows the same price. Iceland do have major tournament experience on their roster, including Finnbogason and Johan Berg Gudmundsson, who were both part of the side that made the Euro 2016 Quarter-Final. This is uncharted territory for Israel in UEFA and it’ll be interesting to see how they handle the pressure.
Bettors can consider Israel pk, -0.5 and Iceland pk, +0.5 at -115 odds for this one. Despite Iceland’s 3-1-6 record in Euro qualifiers they did finish with a positive goal difference and they tend to be competitive in most games. Most recent Israel matches have been low scoring but over 2, 2.5 goals sit at -125 odds for this Euro Play-off Semifinal.
