Israel vs. Estonia: Prediction, Betting Tips

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers kick off, the match between Israel and Estonia on March 22, 2025, promises to be an intriguing encounter. Both teams are eager to start their campaign on a positive note, and this article will provide a comprehensive analysis, including predictions, betting tips, and key statistics.

Match Preview

Israel and Estonia will face off at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Hungary, where Israel has been playing its home matches due to security concerns. This match marks the beginning of their journey in Group I, which also includes Norway, Moldova, and the loser of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie between Germany and Italy.

Israel enters this match ranked 76th in the world by FIFA. Despite a challenging UEFA Nations League campaign, where they were relegated from League A Group 2, Israel ended on a high note with a 1-0 victory over Belgium. Historically, Israel has only qualified for the World Cup once, back in 1970. Their recent form has been mixed, with one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five matches.

Estonia, ranked 123rd by FIFA, has never qualified for a major tournament. They finished third in their Nations League group and have struggled in recent World Cup qualifiers, failing to win a single match across 17 qualifiers for the previous two tournaments. Estonia’s recent form includes three wins, one draw, and eight losses in 2024.

Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• Head-to-Head Record: Israel has won all three previous encounters against Estonia, with the last meeting in 2007 ending in a 4-0 victory for Israel.
• Goals Scored: Estonia has failed to score in any of their three matches against Israel.
• FIFA Rankings: Israel is ranked 76th, while Estonia is 47 places below at 123rd.

Predictions

Given the historical dominance and current form, Israel is favored to win this match. Here are some key predictions:

1. Match Result: Israel to win.
2. Goals Over/Under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals. Seven of Israel’s last nine matches have produced more than 2.5 goals.
3. Both Teams to Score: No. Estonia has struggled to find the net consistently.

Betting Tips

1. Result: Bet on Israel to win. The odds for an Israel victory are 1.42.
2. Goals Over/Under 2.5: Bet on over 2.5 goals. This bet has favorable odds given Israel’s recent high-scoring matches.
3. Both Teams to Score: Bet on “No”. Estonia’s scoring struggles make this a solid bet.

Analysis

Israel’s Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths: Israel’s tactical flexibility and possession-based style of play allow them to control the tempo of matches. Their recent victory over Belgium showcases their ability to compete against higher-ranked teams.
• Weaknesses: Playing home matches away from home due to security concerns could be a disadvantage. Their inconsistency in recent matches is also a concern.

Estonia’s Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Strengths: Estonia’s resilience and ability to compete in matches, as seen in their narrow losses, are notable.
• Weaknesses: Estonia’s inability to score and poor away form are significant drawbacks. They have failed to win any of their last 13 away internationals.

Key Players to Watch

Israel:

• Yarden Shua: Scored the winning goal against Belgium on his international debut.
• Manor Solomon: Known for his creativity and goal-scoring ability, Solomon will be crucial for Israel’s attack.

Estonia:

• Rauno Sappinen: Estonia’s top scorer in recent campaigns, Sappinen’s performance will be vital for their chances.
• Karl Jakob Hein: The young goalkeeper has shown promise and will need to be at his best to keep Israel at bay.

Statistical Insights

• Israel’s Recent Form: In their last five matches, Israel has averaged 0.83 goals scored per match while conceding 2.17 goals per match.
• Estonia’s Recent Form: Estonia has scored only three goals in their last six matches, all against Azerbaijan.

Conclusion

The match between Israel and Estonia is set to be an exciting start to their World Cup qualifying campaign. With Israel’s historical dominance and recent form, they are the favorites to win. Betting on Israel to win, over 2.5 goals, and both teams not to score are solid options based on the analysis and statistics provided.

As always, betting should be done responsibly, and it’s essential to consider all factors before placing a bet. Enjoy the match and may the best team win!