Iceland vs Kosovo: betting odds March 23, 2025

The second leg of the 2024/25 Nations League playoff between Iceland and Kosovo will take place on March 23 at the Enrique Roca de Murcia Stadium (Spain). The score of the first match was 2-1 in favor of Kosovo. Iceland vs. Kosovo: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Iceland

Arnar Gunnlaugsson's side suffered a 1-2 defeat away in the first match. As a result, Iceland has lost two consecutive matches in the Nations League for the first time in the last two editions – they concluded the group stage with a loss away to Wales (1-4). Moreover, in 5 of their last 6 matches in this tournament, the team conceded at least two goals. To retain their place in League B, Iceland must win by at least a two-goal margin. Notably, this team has never dropped below the second tier of the Nations League.

• The team scored exactly one or two goals in regular time in their last 11 Nations League matches.
• They found the back of the net in the first half in 5 of their previous 7 encounters in this tournament.
• Iceland conceded in regular time in 19 of their last 21 Nations League matches.

Predicted lineup for Iceland (4-3-3)

Thorarin Valdimarsson – Logi Thomasson, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Victor Palsson, Aron Gunnarsson – Isak Johannesson, Mikael Ellertsson, Hakon Haraldsson – Andri Gudjohnsen, Orri Oskarsson, Albert Gudmundsson.

Kosovo

Franco Foda's side, having won the first match, secured their fifth victory in their last six Nations League encounters. The only match they did not win in this period was due to a technical defeat. To advance to League B, the team needs to avoid a loss after 90 minutes, and in the case of a one-goal loss, extra time will be played. Notably, Kosovo has never advanced beyond League C in this tournament before.

• At least one opponent failed to score in regular time in 5 of their last 7 Nations League matches.
• Kosovo players scored in the first half in 5 of their previous 6 matches in this tournament.
• Exactly three goals were scored in regular time in 5 of Kosovo's last 7 Nations League matches.

Predicted lineup for Kosovo (4-2-3-1)

Arijanet Muric – Mergim Vojvoda, Lumbardh Delova, Amir Rrahmani, Leart Paqarada – Elvis Rexhbecaj, Valon Berisha – Ermal Krasniqi, Milot Rashica, Donat Rrudhani – Vedat Muriqi.

Midfielders Valon Berisha and Muharrem Jashari are suspended.

Referee

Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)

Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 27;

Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;

Red cards shown – 0;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties – 29%.

Match Prediction: Iceland vs. Kosovo

In the second consecutive Nations League edition, Iceland has been effective in attack. Scoring is not an issue for this team: Iceland's scoring streak in this tournament is 11 matches. Moreover, in six instances during this stretch, the team scored at least two goals. However, Iceland's defense has been unreliable, conceding 15 goals in their last six Nations League matches.

Kosovo has been active in attack in this tournament, regularly finding the net: the team breached the opposition's defense in 7 of their last 9 Nations League matches. In five encounters during this period, the team scored at least two goals. At the same time, Kosovo's defense has not always been solid: in their last 12 matches in this tournament, they kept a clean sheet only three times, and in five instances during this stretch, they conceded at least two goals.

Considering the pre-match scenarios, I expect a high-scoring game, so my prediction: Total over 2 goals