Valur Reykjavik vs IA Akranes Best odds and tips

Valur Reykjavik are fourth in the Besta deild karla 2024/2025 table with 11 points from eight games and IA Akranes are fifth with six points from nine games. The two giants of Icelandic football history are having contrasting seasons and have been in mixed form recently with Valur winning one, drawing three and losing one of their last five league games while IA Akranes have won two and lost three of their last five. Srdjan Tufegdzic has had an immediate impact on the club since being appointed as head coach on August 3, 2024. He has instilled a high-tempo, possession-based style on his side and they are now pressing opponents high up the field and using their overlapping fullbacks to control the play. IA Akranes are a much more direct team under Jon Thor Hauksson, who has been in charge since January 2022. They will look to defend compactly and hit on the break, which should make for an intriguing tactical battle on Saturday. Hauksson’s men still have plenty of bite as their recent 3-0 home win showed and they will have enough belief to go to the capital and cause a few problems for the hosts.

Valur are the bookmakers’ clear favourites for this game at 1.553, which seems about right as they are much the stronger side and have a good home record. IA Akranes are massive 5.4 to win this and even a draw is 4.75, which is far too big considering Valur have only won one of their last three at home. A home win looks the most likely result, but the visitors will be up for this game and will certainly give Valur something to think about on the break. The last meeting between the clubs finished 1-1 in the League Cup 2025 at IA Akranes’ home ground two months ago and both teams have one win apiece in the last three head-to-head clashes.

Valur will dominate possession and should control the game, but Akranes will get opportunities on the break and may be able to score if they are given space in behind the defence. The hosts have scored an average of 2.80 goals per game at home in the Besta deild karla this season, while IA have scored just three in six away league fixtures – an average of 0.50 goals per game. A home win with over 2.5 goals looks the best bet here as Valur’s attacking players are superior to Akranes’ and the visitors have been poor on the road. Pedersen has been in excellent form for Valur recently, scoring four of their eight league goals and he is a constant threat in the penalty area. Hardarson is Akranes’ main man up front with two goals in five Besta deild karla appearances this season, but Viktor Jonsson adds a bit of spark to their attack and has two goals in his last five league fixtures.