STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW Tue: Wales v Iceland

Wales have enjoyed a strong start to life under Craig Bellamy and they can continue the good work with a win against Iceland in Cardiff, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

The Welsh had to hold on for dear life in Turkey but thanks to Turkey striker Kerem Akturkoglu missing an 89th-minute penalty they took a point from their toughest test yet and they look well placed for victory back on home soil here.

Wales were dominated in Turkey – they lot the shot count 25-4, the xG count 3.04 – 0.24 and conceded three big chances whilst creating none – but otherwise the signs have been mostly positive. They were unlucky themselves not to beat Turkey in Bellamy’s opening game as manager, getting well on top before getting a one-man advantage, and they made very fast starts against Montenegro and Iceland, although they couldn’t hold onto the two goal lead they held against today’s visitors in the reverse fixture.

Harry Wilson and Brennan Johnson, enjoying excellent seasons for club and country, have spearheaded Bellamy’s attractive and pacy new brand of football, with Wilson scoring in three straight games for tonight’s hosts, who have improved sharply under their new manager. Those who fancy Wilson to be on the scoresheet once again can get – ? for the Fulham man to make his mark with starsports.bet.

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Wales v Iceland
UEFA Nations League Group Stage
Cardiff City Stadium
19:45 S4C / BBC iPlayer / S4C Online

LAST FIVE STATS

HEAD-TO-HEAD
OCT 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Iceland 2-2 Wales
MAR 2014 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Wales 3-1 Iceland
MAY 2008 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Iceland 0-1 Wales
MAY 1991 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Wales 1-0 Iceland
NOV 1984 WORLD CUP Wales 2-1 Iceland

WALES
OCT 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Wales 1-0 Montenegro
OCT 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Iceland 2-2 Wales
SEP 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Montenegro 1-2 Wales
SEP 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Wales 0-0 Turkey
JUN 2024 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Slovakia 4-0 Wales

ICELAND
NOV 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Montenegro 0-2 Iceland
OCT 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Iceland 2-4 Turkey
OCT 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Iceland 2-2 Wales
SEP 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Turkey 3-1 Iceland
SEP 2024 NATIONS LEAGUE Iceland 2-0 Montenegro

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Iceland have enjoyed a decent campaign, finding Turkey too strong on two occasions but taking a point from Wales after finding themselves two goals down along with a pair of 2-0 wins against Montenegro have ensured they will finish third at worst – and still have the opportunity to fight for top-tier status in next year’s playoffs should they beat Wales.

Topping their group is probably beyond the hosts – they need to beat Iceland and hope Turkey lose to already relegated Montenegro, or hammer Iceland by three goals and hope the Turks are held – but Wales should be pleased with their progress and should have improved as a side since their 2-2 draw in the reverse game, when they froze in the second half.

Wales have become too short in the match odds – they’re currently 13/20 with starsports.bet after early support – but the 11/10 on them winning and Over 1.5 goals makes appeal. Excluding Montenegro, Iceland have conceded nine goals in three games and the hosts ought to find Cardiff much more comfortable than they did Turkey.

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(NOV 2024): PROFIT/LOSS: +33.76 POINTS