Slovakia vs Iceland Prediction 16.11.2023

• Competition: European Qualifiers - Group J
• Date: Thursday, 16th, November 2023
• Kickoff: 19:45 UTC / 20.45 CET
• Venue: Tehelne pole (Bratislava)

The margin for Slovakia to secure a spot in EURO 2024 in Germany is a mere one point, as they prepare to welcome Iceland in the penultimate qualification round at Tehelne pole in Bratislava this Thursday.

In the quest for qualification to the European Championship, the pivotal match awaits Slovakia, where a triumph could reward their commendable tournament with a second-place finish in the group and a coveted spot in the finals in Germany. With a tally of 16 points, Slovakia makes their way home following two successive away matches. Their most recent clash resulted in a triumph on foreign soil against Luxembourg, with David Duris netting the lone goal for the victorious side.

As Iceland must secure a win to keep their dwindling hopes alive in the qualification race, they find themselves with no margin for error. Victory is imperative, as anything less, be it a draw or a defeat, would eliminate them from contention. Currently occupying the fourth spot with 10 points, they are in a precarious position. Iceland faced little adversity in their last showdown, cruising to a convincing 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. Gylfi Sigurdsson took center stage with a brace, while Alfred Finnbogason and Hakon Arnar Haraldsson also found the back of the net.

Slovakia vs Iceland Betting Tips: Slovakia to Win

Slovakia facing off against Iceland epitomizes one of those showdowns with irreversible consequences, especially for the visitors. Anything short of a win would result in Iceland's exit, promising a highly charged contest that should captivate the audience. The squad led by Francesco Calzone regularly shines in set-piece situations, leveraging the height of their attackers and defenders. Their ability to command possession, a hallmark of their style, is expected to play a crucial role in dictating the tempo of the game over the next 90 minutes. 

In contrast, the team under the command of Norwegian tactician Age Hareide has exhibited defensive vulnerabilities due to individual errors, emphasizing the critical need for sustained concentration. The critical task at hand is to remain focused, with the imperative for defensive progression in the later stages should the match remain in the balance until the final whistle. Considering Iceland's lackluster performance in this qualifying campaign away from home, suffering heavy defeats of 0-3 against Bosnia and 1-3 against Luxembourg—two sides against whom Slovakia has demonstrated significant superiority—we believe the Falcons will secure all three points, ensuring a third consecutive appearance in the EURO finals.