Iceland vs France Predictions

France are fighting for their place at Euro 2020, as they chase three-points in this visit to Iceland. The World champions are aiming to follow up a run of five wins in six games, which has put them inside the top two in the chase for a spot at the next major tournament. Having made back to back finals at Euro 2016 and their victorious World Cup run, it would be a major upset if the French failed to make the top two.

Iceland are aiming to reel in France with a win here, with three points between them and the second-placed world champions. The hosts are pushing for a top-two finish, having pulled off a 2-1 victory at home to Turkey earlier in the qualifying campaign. They will be aiming to dent the French here, as the visitors fear a repeat of their defeat in Turkey.

These three sides are set to battle to the wire for a spot at the Euros, with France in need of a victory here. They are set for a decisive doubleheader, with a clash with Turkey to come after their trip to Iceland. This week’s clashes could make or break their chances of making the Euros. A slip here could hurt them, so it isn’t a great time for them to experience a defensive crisis. They’ve lost Aymeric Laporte, Samuel Umtiti, Ferland Mendy and Benjamin Mendy ahead of this clash. They’ve turned to Kurt Zouma, who has fallen to fourth in the Chelsea pecking order.

Those defensive issues could let Iceland in here, with the hosts scoring six times in three home games in this group. They will be aiming to target a weakened French back-line. However, Iceland have problems of their own. They lost every game in the Nations League, conceding twice in each defeat. That’s something this French attack can take advantage of.

The visitors have scored three goals or more in five of their six group games. They’ve scored four times in two of their three trips in qualifying, while the last international break saw them hit seven goals in two matches. We expect them to cause problems for Iceland, following their 4-0 win in the reverse fixture. The last five clashes between these two have seen at least four goals scored, so we think over 2.5 goals is our pick for this encounter, along with a 2-1 win for the world champions.