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Germany vs Iceland Odds & Prediction – World Cup European Qualifying Matchday 1

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in Soccer News

Updated Mar 24, 2021 · 11:52 AM PDT

Germany vs Iceland
Germany's Gianluca Waldschmidt, center, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the international friendly soccer match between Germany and Turkey in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
  • Germany are -910 home favorites to defeat Iceland in their World Cup European qualifying match on Thursday, March 25th
  • The Germans have lost just once over their past 15 home matches
  • Iceland will be playing for the first time under new manager Arnar Vidarsson

Both Germany and Iceland will be seeking out new beginnings as they launch European Group J World Cup qualifying with a match against each other on Thursday, March 25th.

The last two international competitions have not gone well for the Germans. They crashed out in the Group Stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In the European Nations League, Germany was hammered 6-0 by Spain.

Iceland are also steadily melting away since also going out in the Group Stage of the last World Cup. The Icelanders have lost five matches in a row.

Germany are overwhelming -910 favorites at home to open this World Cup bid with a victory. The Germans show just one loss over their past 15 home international matches.

Kickoff for this match is set for 3:45 pm ET at the MSV-Arena. The broadcast is being carried by ESPN2.

Germany vs Iceland World Cup Qualifier Odds

Matchup Spread Moneyline Total at DraftKings
Germany vs Iceland GER -2.75 (+123) | ICE +275 (-155) GER -910 | ICE +2000 | +800 Ov 2.5 (-275) | Un 2.5 (+210)

Odds from Mar 24

Getting the Low Down

German manager Joachim Low announced recently that he would be stepping down from his post following this summer’s European Championship. However, that doesn’t mean that opponents should start expecting the Germans to be a softer touch knowing that they’ll soon be getting a new boss.

Germany has been especially productive under Low in World Cup qualifying. The nation shows 27 wins and three draws from 30 qualifying matches with Low in charge.

Germany has suffered only one setback during its past eight matches, going 3-1-4. However, that one loss was the horrid performance against Spain in the country’s most recent match. It was the first time in 89 years that Germany was defeated by a six-goal margin.

Cold As Iceland

As embarrassing as Germany’s loss to Spain, Iceland’s recent spate of form is proving to be tough to watch. The Icelanders also dropped a one-sided match in their last outing. They were blanked 4-0 by England. Defender Birkir Mar Saevarsson was issued a red card and sent off in the second half.

Iceland were winless in European Nations League play. The end result was relegation to the B Pool for the next competition.

They are 0-5 in their past five matches and 1-7 over the last eight. They’ve dropped four straight away matches and been outscored 13-3 in the process.

There will be a new man in charge for this match. Arnar Vidarsson, a former international player for Iceland, has replaced Erik Hamren as manager.

Injury Report

Toni Kroos withdrew from Germany’s camp with a groin injury. The Real Madrid midfielder has more caps (101) than any current German player.

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is in the squad, but an uncertain starter due to a bout of flu. Germany are also without defenders Niklas Sule (muscle strain) and Robin Gosens (muscular issue).

The wife of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Iceland’s best playmaker, is expecting a baby, so he’s unavailable for this match. Alfred Finnbogason, a 15-goal scorer for Iceland, is out with a calf injury. Midfielder Emil Hallfredsson (muscular problems) is also out.

Trendspotting

Iceland and Germany are meeting for the fifth time and the former is still in search of a first victory. The Germans show three wins and a draw, along with a goal differential of 12-2. This will be the first match between the two countries since 2003.

Looking to the future, a couple of teenagers – midfielders Jamal Musiala, 18, of Bayern Munich and Florian Wirtz, 17, of Bayer Leverkusen – are part of Germany’s squad for this match. Both will be seeking to make their full international debuts.

Germany vs Iceland Stats

Germany
VS
Iceland
13 FIFA Ranking 40
4 World Cup Titles 0
19 World Cup Appearances 1
3-0-1 Head To Head 0-3-1
3-1-4 2020 Record 3-7-0
-2 2020 Goal Differential -13
L1 Current Streak L5

Iceland clearly are no longer the side that served up magic at Euro 2016, beating England and reaching the quarterfinals. The last time these two countries met, Germany were 3-0 winners. That sounds about right.

Take Germany and give the 2.75-goal spread.

Pick: Germany -2.75 (+123).

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