Montenegro vs Iceland: Match Preview, Team News, and Predictions
A Battle of the Underdogs
Betting odds: Montenegro 5/2, Draw 13/5, Iceland 11/4
Montenegro and Iceland, two unheralded teams in international football, will face off in a crucial UEFA Nations League match on November 16, 2024. Both sides will be looking to boost their hopes of promotion to League B with a victory in Podgorica.Montenegro, ranked 68th in the FIFA World Rankings, will be slight favorites heading into the contest. They have a decent home record in recent times, having won three of their last five matches at the Stadion Pod Goricom.
Iceland, ranked 61st in the world, will be no pushovers. They have a proud history in major tournaments, having reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 European Championship. They will be looking to use their experience to get a positive result in Montenegro.
Team News
Montenegro
Montenegro will be without the services of suspended defender Stefan Savic. However, they will be boosted by the return of midfielder Stefan Jovetic, who has been in impressive form for Fiorentina this season.Expected Montenegro starting lineup: - Goalkeeper: Milan Mijatovic - Defenders: Marko Simic, Zarko Tomasevic, Aleksandar Sofranac - Midfielders: Stefan Jovetic, Marko Jankovic, Adam Marusic, Sead Haksabanovic - Forwards: Fatos Beciraj, Stefan Mugosa, Milutin Osmajic
Iceland
Iceland will be without injured midfielder Birkir Bjarnason. However, they will be able to call upon the services of their star player, Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has been in excellent form for Everton this season.Expected Iceland starting lineup: - Goalkeeper: Hannes Halldorsson - Defenders: Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Ari Freyr Skulason - Midfielders: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Aron Gunnarsson, Birkir Saevarsson, Emil Hallfredsson - Forwards: Alfred Finnbogason, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Albert Gudmundsson
Prediction
This is a tough match to call, but Montenegro's home advantage could be the deciding factor. They have a good record at the Stadion Pod Goricom and will be confident of getting a positive result. Iceland are a dangerous team, but they have not been in great form in recent months.Prediction: Montenegro 2-1 Iceland
