Romania vs Iceland
11 November 1945hrs
Football – International – World Cup Qualification Europe
Pick Romania
Bookmaker Matchbook
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 9 November
Romania are in control of their own destiny as they look for three points to aid their bid for a playoff place in Group J. Opponents Iceland require a miracle if they are to do do likewise.
Table of Contents
Romania Preview – Can Romania sign off their home campaign with a much-needed victory?
There may be just two games to go in qualification but these are the most important matches Romania have had for a long time. This game at home to Iceland then finishing the campaign away to Lichtenstein is all the stands between Mirel Radoi’s men and a spot in the World Cup playoffs. The Romanians haven’t reached the finals of the biggest footballing competition since 1998 when held in France.
Although they would still have to negotiate a tricky playoff path, it would at least give them extended hope of ending what would be 24 year wait. They have played in the European Championships as recently as 2016, however, so do have a taste of major finals football.
Their home form has been the biggest strength. Romania come into their final home game of the group having won three from four – defeating North Macedonia, Armenia and the aforementioned Lichtenstein. The only defeat in Bucharest came against Germany who have went on to cruise the group in top spot.
Ironically, Romania’s only win away from home came against their next opponents with a 2-0 success in the Icelandic capital a couple of months ago. They know that a further success over them would see them on the cusp of clinching second spot when they complete their matches on Sunday.
Iceland Preview – Will Iceland give themselves a chance of an unlikely second spot finish with three points?
There’s no getting away from it – it’s been a disappointing campaign for Iceland. Having reached Euro 2016 and the World Cup two years later, the future looked to be bright for the generations coming through. In many ways they have been a victim of their own success. Playing in the top tier of the Nations League has seen them lose all 10 of their games in that competition.
They did narrowly miss out on reaching Euro 2020 having lost to Hungary in a playoff (having beaten Romania in the semi-finals) for that competition but it’s a level of form they have been unable to keep up for this campaign.
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With this game and a trip to North Macedonia to come in four days time, Iceland require maximum points from their remaining fixtures and hope results go there way elsewhere. That includes a draw between Armenia and their next opponents who are both above them in the group and meet before Iceland kick-off in Romania. Conceivably they could be eliminated from qualifying before they do so.
Iceland lost heavily away to Germany and Armenia earlier in the section before thrashing Lichtenstein 4-1. The way in which the fixtures have panned out means this is their first away game since March.
Romania vs Iceland Betting Advice
There’s no doubt that Romania are the most likely of the two teams to finish in second spot but Iceland will be hoping that they still have a chance come the time they actually kick-off. The visitors will feel they owe their hosts one after that home defeat which has given Romania the advantage.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in Romania since 1997. Iceland will be hoping for a lot better than the 4-0 reverse they suffered that time.
Key Facts – Romania vs Iceland Betting Tip
- Romania hold a one point advantage for the playoff spot with two games left to play
- Iceland sit in second bottom place having taken just eight points from as many games
- The Romanians won 2-0 when the sides met in Reykjavik back in September
If you had offered Radoi this chance at the start of the campaign he would certainly have taken it. Six points will guarantee them second spot and I’m taken them to get the first of those three in this game, extending their good home record.
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