Faroe Islands and Iceland meet in Torshavn on Friday evening with both nations looking to end a congested season on a high note.

While the home side have failed to win in six outings, Iceland have endured a run of form which suggests that their recent period in the spotlight could soon be coming to an end.

Match preview

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Before football was brought to a halt by the coronavirus pandemic, Iceland had been building some momentum ahead of an appearance in the Euro 2020 playoffs.

However, few nations have suffered more from the delay than Strakarnir okkar, who have lost 10 of the 12 matches played since September.

One of those setbacks was an agonising defeat in Hungary, ending their hopes of qualifying for a third major tournament in succession.

While Arnar Vidarsson's side have since squared off against many top nations, their 2-0 defeat against Armenia in March strengthened the feeling that their brief time at the top tier of international football had come to an end.

Nevertheless, Vidarsson will take the positives from Iceland only succumbing 2-1 to Mexico in Texas at the weekend.

From the perspective of the Faroe Islands, this will feel like a good opportunity to record their first success since beating Andorra in October.

Although they were thrashed by Scotland last time out, Hakan Ericson has brought about improvements in all areas of the pitch since his appointment in 2019.

They have recently earned draws in Latvia, Malta and Moldova, as well as briefly leading Austria away from home before succumbing to a 3-1 reverse.

Ericson's side have only failed to score in two of their last 11 meetings, their only blanks coming in Denmark and at Hampden Park.

Team News

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With Poland to come at the start of next week, Vidarsson is expected to make a number of changes to his Iceland XI.

Kolbeinn Thordarson may come in for his debut, while Hjortur Hermannsson and Hordur Ingi Gunnarsson could drop out of the side after playing 90 minutes against Mexico.

Sveinn Aron Gudjohnsen, the son of national legend Eidur, is in contention for his third cap in the final third.

Despite the heavy defeat in Scotland, Ericson is unlikely to make major alterations to the Faroe Islands' starting lineup.

Goalkeeper Teitur Gestsson is in line to feature between the sticks, with long-time number one Gunnar Nielsen not in the squad.

Faroe Islands possible starting lineup:
Gestsson; Rolantsson, G.Vatnhamar, Nattestad, Davidsen; S.Vatnhamar, Hansson, Andreasen, Hendriksson; Edmundsson, Olsen

Iceland possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Saevarsson, Arnason, Ingi Bjarnason, A.Gunnarsson; Bjarnason, H.Gunnarsson, Thordarson; Bodvarsson, Gudjohnsen, Johannesson

We say: Faroe Islands 1-3 Iceland

Despite the possibility of squad rotation, we still feel that Iceland should emerge victorious relatively comfortably.

However, do not be surprised if the home side remain in the contest for the first hour.

Written by
Darren Plant

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