Scotland vs Iceland Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Scotland are aiming to put the disappointment of March's Nations League relegation behind them in this month's international friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Steve Clarke's men let slip a 1-0 first-leg lead to lose at home to Greece in the promotion/relegation play-off second leg and their focus is now on World Cup qualifying.

Scotland's campaign starts against Denmark in September and Clarke will be keen for a morale-boosting win over Iceland, who were relegated to Nations League C in March.

Scotland vs Iceland Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Scotland	13/20
Best Bet	Scotland to win & over 2.5 goals	7/4
Bet Builder	Scotland to win, Scotland to score over 0.5 first-half goals, John McGinn to score	9/2

Key Match Stats

• Scotland have won all six of their previous meetings with Iceland

• The Scots have scored the first goal in five of their last seven games

• Scotland won 2-1 in each of their last three matches against Iceland

• Five of Iceland's last seven fixtures featured over 3.5 goals

• Both teams have scored before half-time each of in Iceland's last three matches

• Iceland have lost and both teams scored in five of their last seven games

Scotland vs Iceland Prediction

Best Bet: Scotland to win & over 2.5 goals @ 7/4

Scotland's 3-0 home defeat to Greece in the Nations League play-off second leg was a major surprise given their competitive performances leading up to that game.

They picked up seven points from their final three group fixtures against Portugal, Poland and Croatia before winning 1-0 in Greece and should be too slick for friendly visitors Iceland.

A Scotland win with over 2.5 goals looks a good bet as Iceland's last five defeats were by 3-1, 4-2, 4-1, 2-1 and 3-1 scorelines. 

James Milton explains:

Steve Clarke has some classy midfield options including Scott McTominay, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour and John McGinn and Scotland should create plenty of chances against an Iceland side who conceded 18 goals in eight Nations League outings.

Scotland vs Iceland Bet Builder Tip

• Scotland to win

• Scotland to score over 0.5 first-half goals

• John McGinn to score

  Pays 9/2

Iceland have lost four of their last five internationals, including both legs of their Nations League play-off against Kosovo, so Scotland look solid favourites at home.

Over 0.5 Scotland first-half goals is worth adding to the Bet Builder as they opened the scoring before half-time in recent matches against Portugal, Croatia, Poland and Greece.

John McGinn scored crucial goals in November's Nations League wins over Croatia and Poland and the Aston Villa man can add to his impressive tally of 20 goals in 75 Scotland appearances.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

James Milton adds:

Scotland have won all six of their internationals against Iceland and they can make a fast start to Friday's contest, while John McGinn looks a decent bet to add to his haul of 20 international goals.

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.

Tactics, Form and Team News

Seven uncapped players have been called up by Scotland boss Clarke and highly rated Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller could make his senior debut alongside Billy Gilmour in central midfield.

Bologna's Lewis Ferguson is another player hoping to make his mark in the engine-room as Ryan Christie and Kenny McLean are not in the squad.

Scott McTominay scored 12 goals in 33 Serie A starts for champions Napoli and, along with John McGinn, he has flourished in an advanced position for Scotland.

At the other end of the pitch, though, Clarke has some goalkeeping issues to solve.

The 42-year-old Craig Gordon is injured and Angus Gunn's form has dipped, potentially opening the door for Ipswich's Cieran Slicker or Kilmarnock's Robby McCrorie.

Expected Scotland lineup (4-2-3-1): Gunn; Ralston, Souttar, Hanley, Robertson; Gilmour, Miller; Conway, McTominay, McGinn; Adams.

Iceland are missing injured captain and star striker Orri Oskarsson, who plays his club football for Real Sociedad.

Fiorentina's Albert Gudmundsson and Gent's Andri Gudjohnsen, who both have respectable goalscoring records at international level, should lead the line in a 4-4-2 formation.

Former Bolton and Leicester forward Arnar Gunnlaugsson took charge of the national team in January, but his reign started with 2-1 and 3-1 defeats to Kosovo.

Veteran midfielder Aron Gunnarsson was sent off for two bookable offences in the second leg against Kosovo, who racked up 10 shots on target to Iceland's two.

Expected Iceland lineup (4-4-2): Valdimarsson; Palsson, Thordarson, Ingason, Johannesson; Willumsson, Helgason, Traustason, Haraldsson; Gudmundsson, Gudjohnsen.

View the full market and more odds for Scotland vs Iceland on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.