Germany vs Iceland
After months of anticipation, the World Cup 2022 qualifiers is upon us. And this time around, we will feature a cracker of a match here in Group J.
Germany vs. Iceland is a key match to look out for as both aim to start their campaigns on a great note. The last time that these two teams competed internationally, both lost badly and a win here could help erase such painful memories.
Die Mannschaft were humiliated by the Spaniards to end their UEFA Nations League run while Iceland ended their campaign on a whimper after losing all of their games in the group stages.
A lot has changed between these two teams since their UEFA Nations League stints. Joachim Low decided to coach for one last time for Germany amid sacking rumours, while Arnar Vidarsson was appointed to replace Erik Hamren in coaching Iceland.
The Germans are the huge favourites to win their first match and advance to the later stages of the competition, but can Iceland catch them off guard on Thursday and prove us wrong?
Read on below as the best international football action unfolds here with our latest match preview at SBOTOP.
Talking Points
Young stars are ready to shine for Germany
With Joachim Low having one foot out of the door, he is making his last hurrah count by laying the team’s foundation for the long run.
After performing well for Bayern Munich in recent weeks, Jamal Musiala was called up in 26-man squad alongisde Bayer Leverkusen starlet Florian Wirtz and both are expected to feature in these set of fixtures.
Musiala and Wirtz have scored four goals each for their respective mother clubs and they represent the future since Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gundogan are not getting any younger.
They might be paired alongside Chelsea duo Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, who will use this international break to gain some rhythm.
Havertz and Werner were supposed to bring Chelsea back into the Premier League title race given their hefty price tags, but both have underwhelmed so far in their first season in Stamford Bridge.
Now with both of them back in a more familiar system, I am expecting them to return to their old lethal ways and produce numerous World Cup 2022 highlights.
The ever-reliable Manuel Neuer will marshal the goal once again for his 97th cap, while flanking him on the defence will be Matthias Ginter, Niklas Sule, and Antonio Rudiger.
Joshua Kimmich is doubtful due to a flu, but Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry, Florian Neuhaus, and Philipp Max are more than ready to fill in the void.
Iceland need more than just Gylfi Sigurdsson
Unlike Germany, Iceland remains an unheralded team but they have a handful of quality players that can cause damage.
For the longest time they have been dependent on the play of Gylfi Sigurdsson. However, the Everton playmaker is out due to an ankle injury which leaves Arnar Vidarsson in a tough spot.
Vidarsson may opt to rely on Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Albert Gudmundsson to deliver the goods and the Germans should keep a close eye on them.
The Burnley and the AZ Alkmaar wingers may have only scored six goals combined for their respective mother clubs, but their creativity and searing pace shouldn’t be overlooked by their opponents.
History
Matches between Germany and Iceland have come few and far between as they’ll only meet for this fifth time ever this Thursday.
In the four matches prior, the Germans hold the major advantage with three wins and one draw.
Their previous game dates back to 2003 where Germany defeated Iceland 3-0 as Michael Ballack, Fredi Bobic, and Kevin Kuranyi scored one goal apiece.
This will be Arnar Vidarsson’s first-ever match at the helm for Iceland while this will be Joachim Low’s 189th game for Germany. Experience plays a big factor here in favour of Die Mannschaft.
Betting Tip
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Germany vs Iceland | Germany Asian Handicap -2.00 @ 1.75 |
| March 26, 3:45(GMT+8) |
As mentioned earlier, the Germans are heavily favoured by the World Cup 2022 odds to come away with a victory.
Germany are priced to win at 1.14, while Iceland are pegged much lower at 11.50 and a draw is at 7.20 in the 1×2 market.
Die Mannschaft will be eager to assert themselves in Group J and they can definitely do so here in their first match against Iceland. Joachim Low is likely to give significant playing time for his younger players in order to help them gain more experience.
Arnar Vidarsson’s men simply lack the firepower needed to subdue the Germans, but I can seem them scoring at least one goal for consolation.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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