IBV Vestmannaeyjar vs Sarpsborg Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

IBV have had far from the best season in the Urvalsdeild, as they sit eighth in the table. They’re just a point above the drop zone ahead of this clash, so they have big concerns to worry about elsewhere. However, they get a break from their league concerns, as they face a Europa League clash with Sarpsborg on Thursday. Can they claim a first leg advantage in their home clash this week, ahead of a trip to Norway? The prematch odds suggest this will be a tight affair, with both teams harbouring hopes of progressing in this competition.

The hosts may be struggling in their domestic league, but they’ve got a solid record in their home matches in the Urvalsdeild this term. They’ve lost just one home match so far, which came against champions Valur. Can that form take them to a positive result on Thursday? They’ve won just twice at their own ground this season, so getting a first leg victory may be tough for the Icelandic side.

Meanwhile, the visitors are also struggling in the league. They sit sixth at the half-way stage, and they’re lagging behind in the race for European spots. They’re aiming for progress in the Europa League this year, as they prepare for their first ever clash in the competition. Will that European inexperience leave them struggling ahead of this trip?

The hosts have a much stronger record in Europe, and they’ve gone five matches unbeaten at home in this competition. After a strong run domestically and in Europe in their home games, there’s plenty of IBV to be confident about in this clash, despite their poor position in the league table. Their only real concern for this game is their lack of presence going forward. They’ve failed to score in half of their home matches, averaging a goal per game this term. Having failed to score more than one goal in 90 minutes at home in this competition, they’re unlikely to trouble the visitors.

With under 2.5 goals landing in 83% of their home league games, we expect this to be a low scoring encounter for IBV. Their last eight games in this competition have seen fewer than three goals, so this game is hardly going to be a classic. We’re backing under 2.5 goals as our main tip here, along with a 1-1 draw, with the Urvalsdeild side drawing four of their last five home games in the Europa League.