Germany will find out who they will face in the semi-final of the European Championship on Sunday night when hosts France take on the surprise packages of the tournament Iceland in Paris on what has all the hallmarks of being an exciting night of football.
France have breezed through to this stage of the tournament and that was expected but Iceland’s progression has been much more of a surprise but they face their toughest test of the competition by a long way here. They’ve passed every test in full so far though.
The French had to come from a goal down in their Last 16 match and while they looked all over the place initially in that match once they found their feet in the second half they were far too good for the Republic of Ireland and should have won by a lot more than they did.
One of the best things about them in this tournament has been the effect of Didier Deschamps’ substitutions so far. Nearly every time he makes changes it has a positive effect and that is exactly what teams need in knockout football. France have scored twice in all but one match so far even though some say they have not been at their best.
Key Man
Antoine Griezmann turned the match against Republic of Ireland around to continue his excellent season. He gets into excellent positions between the lines and makes some really good runs off Giroud to create opportunities. That space he finds between the lines could be the difference as it is the thing nobody has managed against Iceland so far.
Iceland have been a breath of fresh air to the tournament so far. They have been defensively resolute and many have made comments about their defensive style but it is easy to forget that they have scored in every single match so far. Along with Wales they are the only team left in the tournament to have scored in every game and that shouldn’t be ignored.
The passion and the energy Iceland have shown in the competition so far has been something to behold and we’ve seen with Wales what spirit and unity can do for you and how far it can get a side. If they can play with the same freedom here who knows what they can produce.
Key Man
Johann Berg Gudmundsson might only ply his trade in League One next season but he could be a vital player for Iceland in this match up against a left back in Patrice Evra who has looked shaky throughout the tournament. Gudmundsson has good quality on the ball and will work hard in defence which might help to shackle Dimitri Payet a little. He’s Iceland’s big player here.
Team News
France go into the match without the suspended N’Golo Kante and Adil Rami so they are forced to make two changes but they could make more. Yohan Cabaye is rumoured to be coming in for Kante while Samuel Umtiti is the likeliest replacement for Rami.
Iceland have no injury or suspension concerns ahead of this match so they could be unchanged for the fifth successive time in this tournament. They do have the likes of Eidur Gudjohnsen on the sidelines should they want to make changes but it isn’t broke so doesn’t need fixing.
Head to Head
These two nations have met 11 times in the past and Iceland haven’t won on any occasion. France have come away with eight wins and there have been three draws. They have only met once since the turn of the century which came in 2012 in a friendly. France won that 3-2.
Betting
Iceland’s story in this tournament has been spectacular and while the common logic would suggest their run ends here I think they have earned enough respect from what they have done so far for us to be wary of taking them on again. We certainly shouldn’t take them on purely on logic. That hasn’t got us anywhere in this tournament so far!
France are a very short price here but I fancy this quarter final might be a little more open than what we have seen in this round so far. Indeed I can see this one being played out a little like the Belgium vs Wales match so I’m definitely envisioning goals in this match.
Romania and the Republic of Ireland scored against this French side and they lack their expert protection in this game too so I’m of the belief that Iceland can score here too. Iceland have scored in every match in the tournament so far and are a threat from both open play and set pieces especially those enormous long throws so however this one goes and whoever eventually wins it I fancy Iceland will have scored before the final whistle blows.
Tips
WON – Back Iceland Over 0.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Unibet
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