- Team form: Thor Akureyri are on a 5-game losing streak and have not won in 5.
- Recent form: IBV Vestmannaeyjar have been inconsistent (W1, D1, L3) but look in better shape to take all 3 points on Sunday.
A tight game in prospect at Thorsvoellur
The mid-table scrap is on in Iceland as 10th-placed Thor Akureyri (6 points from 9 games) face 11th placed IBV Vestmannaeyjar (5 points from 9 matches) in the Besta deild karla 2026. This fixture has a recent history with the sides having met twice across all competitions and IBV winning 3-0 away from home on that occasion.
IBV also go into Sunday's game with the momentum after a 6-1 blowout win over Keflavik and they are unbeaten in the last 2 games against Thor (W1, D1). A relegation battle looks likely at Thorsvoellur on Sunday between these two struggling sides and it should be an end-to-end affair.
Thor favouring a compact 4-4-2
Sigurdur Heidar Hoeskuldsson's side are a typically pragmatic side in Icelandic soccer with a youthful squad and a survival first approach. Thor usually play in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation and will aim to sit deep and absorb pressure before breaking with pace on the counter attack or from set pieces.
- Ingimar Arnar Kristjansson has been their biggest threat recently with 2 goals in his last 3 league appearances.
- Their last 3 results – a 1-2 home loss to IA Akranes, a 1-0 defeat away to Keflavik and a 1-3 loss at home to Stjarnan – are concerning, however, and Thor have lost 3 home games in a row, failing to put a single point on the board.
IBV will look to pressure Thor
Tactics
Aleksandar Linta's IBV have been more impressive this season, particularly in their 6-1 home victory over Keflavik last time out. Linta prefers a more flexible 4-2-3-1 system where the team presses in waves and aims to control the midfield and transition into the attack through their creativity.
Player and away record
Robert Elis Hlynsson has been their standout performer recently with 4 goals in 4 games and 3 of IBV's last 9 goals. IBV are winless on the road in the Besta deild karla 2026 (D1, L3) but they are yet to lose in their last 2 away games – a 2-2 draw at IA Akranes and a 3-0 win against Thor in the 1. Deild 2024.
IBV can edge a tight match
With IBV in better form than Thor, the odds for an away win look good at 2.35. The Over 2.5 goals price is a very short 1.42 and Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.39 looks a better option here given both teams have been scoring and conceding plenty of goals of late.
I'm going for an IBV win and a game where both sides can register a goal in an open contest. With neither side boasting a strong defensive record, the clash of Thor's low block approach against IBV's more proactive midfield could see chances at both ends.
