WCQ Group E Odds: Iceland and Slovenia face tough away trips to decide playoff spot
Iceland are considered 17/10 outsiders to beat Norway and give themselves a chance of playing in their first World Cup as they look to better Slovenia’s result against Switzerland.
Iceland and Slovenia face tough away trips to rival nations as they both look to keep their dreams of reaching the World Cup very much alive.
For Iceland, this means travelling to Oslo where they know that a win would be enough to see them into the playoffs and still have a shot of qualifying for their first ever World Cup.
The only change that Iceland will have to make is replacing midfielder Olafur Skulason who is out injured which could give NEC midfielder Victor Palsson the chance to make his debut for the country.
Lars Lagerback will be hoping some of the team’s more recognisable figures such as Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gylfi Sigurddson will be able to produce some of their best form and help Iceland provide the shock of the qualifying stages.
Norway have been disappointing in the qualifying campaign and saw their World Cup dreams end on Friday with a 3-0 loss to Slovenia in Maribor.
Eggert Olsen’s side have seen several players withdraw from injury over the last few days meaning that experienced players such as Christian Grindheim and Havard Nordtveit will both be unavailable for the game.
It means that Norwich midfielder Alexander Tettey could make an appearance as could promising young midfielder Valon Berisha as they look to give some of their younger players the chance to show what they are made off.
Slovenia needs a win away to unbeaten group winners Switzerland to stand any chance of making the playoff and qualifying for their 3rd World Cup.
It will not be easy for them though with the team without several of their top creative players such as Josip Ilicic and Valter Birsa who are both out with injuries.
However, there is still plenty of experience upfront with Milivoje Novakovic and Zlatan Ljubijankic likely to maintain the same form that has helped them find success in the J-League over the last couple of years.
Meanwhile, Switzerland have done exactly what they needed to do qualifying for the World Cup with a game to spare and without losing a game in the group.
Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side will be without two major players for the game with Stephan Lichtsteiner and Xherdan Shaqiri both injured for the clash and will likely be replaced by Fabian Schar and Gelson Fernandes respectively.
It will not be easy for either side but both Slovenia and Iceland will no doubt give it everything to prove that even smaller nations are able to have a shot at making it into the World Cup.
