Scotland vs Iceland Prediction and Betting Tip - Odds, H2H and Preview Predictions

Scotland vs Iceland Preview

The first of the summer’s international friendlies kick-off on Friday, as various nations end their three month drought of games in order to start preparing their squad for major competition qualifiers, which begin in September.

One of these games sees Scotland play host to Iceland - a game which Scotland are yet to taste defeat in, and a matchup in which Iceland have scored just three goals across six meetings.

With World Cup qualification fixtures beginning at the start of the next domestic season, both teams will appreciate the opportunity to play a nation of similar stature in the run up.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be broadcasted on BBC Sport, BBC Iplayer and BBC One Scotland, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 on Friday evening.

Key Statistics

• Home side Scotland have managed to string together a good run of form, losing just once in their last five matches.
• In that time, they have beaten former World Cup finalists Croatia, and drawn to a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal.
• Iceland appear to be having less luck - the island nation has failed to win any of their last three, and boast just one win in their last 7.
• However, they are regular scorers; they have fired just one blank since November 2023, scoring in 13 out of 14 fixtures.

Scotland Preview

Scotland Predicted Lineup (4-3-2-1): Cieran Slicker (GK); Andrew Robertson, Scott McKenna, Grant Hanley, Anthony Ralston; Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn; Scott McTominay, Lennon Miller; George Hirst.

There is plenty going right for the Scottish National team right now. Scott McTominay tore up the Italian Serie A, winning MVP in the process, Andy Robertson is now a two time Premier League champion, and Craig Gordon’s retirement from international duty will allow coach Steve Clarke to experiment with new solution’s in goal, helping build for the future.

Combining external factors with the fact that Scotland are in excellent form, they deserve the title of heavy favourites here. They boast more recognisable names, better club form across their squad, and have the extra bonus of having a substantial pool to choose their squad from, a luxury Iceland do not have access to.

They may have failed to earn promotion to the top tier of the Nations League, courtesy of a two legged defeat to Greece, but Scotland is a nation who are travelling in the right direction - good results in their two upcoming friendlies will set them up nicely for the World Cup qualification push.

Iceland Preview

Iceland Predicted Lineup (4-3-2-1): Hakon Valdimarsson (GK); Logi Tomasson, Sverir Ingason, Victor Palsson, Valgeir Fridriksson; Arnor Traustason, Bjarki Bjarkason, Mikael Anderson; Albert Gudmundsson, Hakon Haraldsson; Orri Oskarsson.

Ranked 18th in the Fifa rankings in early 2018, everything since then has been on a downward spiral for the Icelandic national team. Their group of heroes which reached the Euro 2016 quarter finals were good, but due to the country's miniscule population, they simply did not have the depth to replace them.

Make no mistake, there is still some serious talent sprinkled amongst the squad - Hakon Haraldsson provided eight goals for Champions League side Lille, while Albert Gudmundsson scored the same number for Conference League semi-finalists Fiorentina, underlining that while their depth of talent is insignificant, the talent they do have packs more than a small punch.

However, Iceland has a population of just over 350 '000, and while the nation has produced players including Eidur Gudjohnsen and Alfred Finnbogasson, they simply do not have the infrastructure to ensure they have a starting eleven of similar quality simultaneously.

Scotland vs Iceland Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 28/05/1985: Iceland 0-1 Scotland.
• 12/10/2002: Iceland 0-2 Scotland.
• 29/03/2003: Scotland 2-1 Iceland.
• 10/09/2008: Iceland 1-2 Scotland.
• 01/04/2009: Scotland 2-1 Iceland.

Scotland vs Iceland Betting Tip

Though Scotland find themselves on the up while Iceland are regressing, both sides could prove very closely matched - Scotland’s relative inexperience up against Iceland’s rigid discipline could be a fascinating watch.

That is why our experts have decided that the best tip for this fixture is to back both teams to score. Odds of 1.94 on Highbet mean that a £10 bet could return almost £20 should it come off.

Scotland vs Iceland Prediction

Scotland 3-1 Iceland

Though their play-styles are similar, and their mindsets are both relatively reserved, Scotland lineup on paper should squash Iceland, and while I doubt it will be a walkover, the Scot’s should win by a relatively comfortable margin.