Wales vs Iceland predictions: Back hosts to make fast start in Cardiff

- Craig Bellamy is the first Wales manager to remain unbeaten in his first five matches
- Iceland came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Wales in Reykjavik on matchday three 
- Recommended bet: Wales/Wales Half Time/Full Time

Wales showed their defensive grit to claim a 0-0 draw in Turkey on Saturday, helped by a late penalty miss from their hosts, and they face Iceland in Cardiff in their final Nations League match.

Manager Craig Bellamy has made a fine start to his career as national team coach although his side blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in Iceland on matchday three.

Like Wales, Iceland have done the double over struggling Montenegro but their defensive vulnerability was exposed in 3-1 and 4-2 defeats to Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey.

Team news

Wales will assess the fitness of defender Joe Rodon and striker Mark Harris after they suffered a clash of heads against Turkey.

Karl Darlow is again expected to start in goal with Danny Ward on the bench.

Iceland are missing suspended full-back Logi Tomasson so Birmingham's Alfons Sampsted could start in defence. Veteran skipper Aron Gunnarsson (thigh) is a major doubt.

The stats

Four of Wales' last seven matches have ended 0-0 in 90 minutes.

Wales have had six draws in their last 10 internationals.

The Welsh defence has kept six clean sheets in 10 games.

Three of Iceland's last five victories were by a 2-0 margin.

Six of Iceland's last 12 away games featured over 3.5 goals.

Both teams have scored in five of Iceland's last seven away matches in the Nations League.

Prediction

Bellamy's unbeaten run as Wales manager now stands at five matches although it came under threat during Saturday's goalless stalemate in Turkey.

Wales had only four attempts at goal to their hosts' 25, including a Kerem Akturkoglu penalty which clipped the post in the 89th minute.

More will be expected from a Wales forward line featuring the in-form Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson against Iceland and Bellamy's men can produce a fast start in Cardiff.

They led 2-0 after just three minutes of September's fixture in Montenegro and goals from Johnson and Wilson put them two up inside half an hour away to Iceland last month.

The hosts struck back in the final quarter of the game to claim a point but Wales are a tough side to beat on their own patch and Wilson's first-half penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over Montenegro in their last home game.

They were good value for that win as the visitors did not muster a shot on target and backing Wales to be leading at half-time and full-time looks a good bet.

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