San Marino vs Iceland Match Analysis and Prediction

2 years ago 274

Iceland will take a momentary pause from the UEFA Nations League when the make a trip to take on San Marino for a friendly match on Thursday.

The world’s lowest-ranked side enter the contest off the back of 17 successive defeats, while Iceland are looking to end an eight-game winless run.

Despite finishing bottom of their League D group in the 2020-21 edition of the National League, La Serenissima managed to pick up two points in that campaign, which came through draws against Liechtenstein and Gibraltar.

Those draws would have given San Marino some confidence boost ahead of the current Nations League campaign, but their first two matches have proven to be fruitless.

After suffering a 2-0 defeat against Estonia on the opening matchday, they came out on the wrong side of another 2-0 scoreline on Sunday, as second half goals from Jan Busuttil and Matthew Guillaumier helped Malta claim the victory.

Following their 17th successive defeat, San Marino will now turn their attention to a friendly match against a nation ranked 148 places above them.

Iceland may welcome a friendly encounter against the lowest-ranked side in the world, with the visitors seeking to end an eight-game winless run.

Their last victory came back in October 2021, but since the 4-0 victory over Liechtenstein, Arnar Vidarsson’s side have drawn five games, while losing on three occasions.

They head into Thursday’s contest off the back of consecutive draws after starting their Nations League campaign with a 2-2 draw against Israel before drawing at home with Albania on Monday.

Taulant Seferi put Albania in the lead on the half hour mark, but Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson managed to grab an equaliser four minutes after the restart.

Iceland aim to end a year-long wait for an away win after failing to win any of their last six away matches.

San Marino vs Iceland head to head

The two national teams have not previously met on any occasion, and this will be the first time they will be meeting in an international friendly match.

San Marino latest home form

San Marino have been on a poor run of form at home, and have to failed to win any of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Malta in their last home game in the UEFA Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored one goals and conceded 19.

San Marino 0-3 Andorra 12/10/21

San Marino 0-10 England 15/11/21

San Marino 1-2 Lithuania 25/03/22

San Marino 0-2 Cape Verde 28/03/22

San Marino 0-2 Malta 05/06/22

San Marino latest away form

San Marino have been on a poor run of form on the road, and have lost each of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Estonia in their last away game in the UEFA Nations League. In their last five matches, they have conceded 18 goals without scoring.

Andorra 2-0 San Marino 02/09/21

Albania 5-0 San Marino 08/09/21

Poland 5-0 San Marino 09/10/21

Hungary 4-0 San Marino 12/11/21

Estonia 2-0 San Marino 02/06/22

Iceland latest home form

Iceland have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Albania in their last home game in the UEFA Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded eight.

Iceland 1-1 Armenia 08/10/21

Iceland 4-0 Liechtenstein 11/10/21

Iceland 1-1 Uganda 12/01/22

Iceland 1-5 Korea Republic 15/01/22

Iceland 1-1 Albania 06/06/22

Iceland latest away form

Iceland have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their six most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with Israel in their last away game in the UEFA Nations League. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 11.

Romania 0-0 Iceland 11/11/21

North Macedonia 3-1 Iceland 14/11/21

Finland 1-1 Iceland 26/03/22

Spain 5-0 Iceland 29/03/22

Israel 2-2 Iceland 02/06/22

San Marino news

San Marino could freshen up their side by making a number of changes, with Fabio Tomassini, Jose Hirsch and Tommaso Zafferani likely to be presented with starting roles.

Nicola Nani is set to lead the line for the hosts, as he looks to score for just the second time for his country.

Iceland news

Iceland could give a number of fringe players some playing time before they face Israel in the Nations League on Monday.

Ingvar Jonsson may be given a starting opportunity in goal, while there could also be places for Hakon Arnar Haraldsson and Mikael Anderson, who both came off the bench against Albania.

Prediction and Odds

San Marino head into Thursday’s friendly match off the back of a 17-game losing streak, and that run of form does not seem to end anytime soon.

Although Iceland have struggled in recent times, we think they will prove too strong for the hosts, and we expect the visitors to take all three points.

Odds: 1 3.10 X 2.10 2 1.60