Iceland vs Azerbaijan: prediction & betting odds 5 September 2025

The Matchday 5 clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Iceland and Azerbaijan will take place on September 5 at the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland. Iceland vs. Azerbaijan: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Iceland

The national team failed in the last qualification for the 2022 World Cup. In their group, they finished in 5th place, only ahead of Liechtenstein. Iceland managed to beat the representatives of the microstate in both encounters in the previous qualification, while in the other matches, they suffered 5 defeats and drew 3 times. Notably, Iceland conceded a lot, averaging 1.8 goals per game.

• The team has not won in 6 of their last 7 qualification matches for the World Cup (3 draws and 3 defeats).
• At home, Iceland has not lost in 11 of their last 13 World Cup qualification matches (8 wins and 3 draws).
• At least one team failed to score in 7 of Iceland's last 9 home games in this tournament.

Predicted lineup for Iceland (4-3-3)

Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson – Sverrir Ingason, Victor Palsson, Logi Thomasson, Daniel Leo Gretarsson – Stefaun Thordarson, Isak Johannesson, Thordir Helgason – Albert Gudmundsson, Saevar Magnusson, Andri Gudjohnsen.

Defender Aron Gunnarsson and forward Orri Oskarsson will miss the game due to injuries.

Azerbaijan

The Caucasians managed to earn only 1 point in the last qualification cycle. In 8 matches in their group, the team suffered 7 defeats, drawing only with Ireland. Furthermore, in 6 of their last 7 matches in this tournament, the team conceded at least 2 goals. It should be noted that Azerbaijan had never collected so few points in a European qualification cycle for the World Cup.

• Azerbaijan's winless streak in World Cup qualification stands at 10 matches (1 draw and 9 defeats).
• At least 3 goals have been scored in 9 of the team's last 11 matches in this tournament.
• Azerbaijan has not won in 8 consecutive away games in World Cup qualification (2 draws and 6 defeats).

Predicted lineup for Azerbaijan (4-3-3)

Riza Jafarov – Elvin Badalov, Jalal Huseynov, Anton Krivotsyuk, Elvin Jafarquliyev – Ozan Kokcu, Gismat Aliyev, Emin Mahmudov – Mahir Emreli, Renat Dadashov, Hayal Aliyev.

Referee

Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands)

Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 36;

Average yellow cards per match – 3;

Red cards shown – 2;

Average fouls per match – 25;

Penalties – 25%.

Match Prediction: Iceland vs. Azerbaijan

Arnar Gunnlaugsson's side are clear favorites in the upcoming match. The Caucasians have been performing poorly in recent qualifiers and struggle to compete even with Europe's mid-tier teams. Azerbaijan is especially poor on foreign soil, where they have suffered 13 defeats in their last 15 World Cup and European Championship qualifiers.

Iceland, on the other hand, performs well on their home island. In their last 13 home matches, the team lost only to Germany and Romania, securing 8 wins and 3 draws. Moreover, when Iceland wins, they score at least two goals. I predict the hosts will win, as it is crucial for Arnar Gunnlaugsson to secure his first official victory since being appointed as the national team's head coach.

My prediction: Iceland with a handicap (-1)