Landsbankadeild - 24-07-2005 -

IBV - FH (0-3 in the reverse fixture):

Lately I avoided backing Hafnarfjordur. So far FH won 10 out of 10 games and the recurring idea is they simply will have to end this impressive streak before or later, so why risking some money on the ridiculous odds that bookie usually offer on them?
But now FH palyed 3 winless matches in a row: they've lost to Neftchi, in Azerbaijan, in the 1st leg of CL preliminaries; then they've been held on 1-1 home draw by IA Akranes in VISA-Bikar - the Icelandic national Cup - (although they hammered their opponent in Extra Time, winning 5-1); they, finally, lost the 2nd leg of CL vs Baku.
I believe after this streak a new victory would be fine for their morale and their supporters, although they don't have an urgent need of points (I think the final victory in the Icelandic league is out of discussion for FH).

IBV are one of the strongest candidate for relegation. They were before the season started and they're now, when half of the season has gone.
Last round IBV managed to get a precious point away at Keflavik. A result far from being surprising, at least to me. Keflavik are a side that play better on the road, while at home they have many problems to hold the lead (the same happened in the game vs Fylkir).
A couple of days before IBV got another away draw, at Fram in VISA-Bikar. Useless result since Fram defeated them in extra time, so IBV are out of the national Cup and it's likely they will be out of UEFA Cup as well, since they weren't able do defeat at home the poor Far Oer side in the 1st leg, last week.
To strenghten the squad IBV have bought just few days ago the Danish player Rune Lind (former Esbjerg and Danemark U18), but it looks he won't play next game.

For the upcoming game FH will be able to field their best available team. It also look they'll want to make an offensive game since their manager is going to pass from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 module.

IBV will have many important absence. First of all they'll field a weakened attack: Joahnssen (top scorer of the team) is injured and Petur Sigurdsson (loaned by FH themselves) is not allowed to play vs his team as well as the talented midfielder Gudmundsson. Finally, the defender Vidarsson will be serving 1 week ban. The offensive midfielder Matthew Platt will probably play as forward.

H2H:

2004 IBV-FH 1-3
2003 IBV-FH 1-3
2002 IBV-FH 2-0
2001 IBV-FH 0-0

Hard to see FH failing to win here. Even if IBV could play with the best available team I'd probably back the guests anyway. With 4 first-team players out IMHO Vestmannaejyar don't have a single chance to get something from this match.

IBV - FH:

Pick: FH
Odds: 1,55
Bookmaker: Stanleybet
Stake: 9/10
Confidence: 9/10

KK_