Roy Hodgson’s decision to rest several key players for England’s final group match against Slovakia before top spot had been decided was certainly odd. The English now find themselves on the ‘wrong’ side of the draw which means there will be a more difficult path to the final. However, that issue has now passed and the focus will be on getting past Iceland.
Many thought that Iceland were at the tournament to merely make up the numbers but it has proved the opposite. They managed to come through a group containing Portugal and dark horses Austria to qualify for the knockout stages thanks to a last-gasp win against the Austrians.
The Three Lions managed to dominate all of their games in Group B but failed to finish off their chances, hence their second-place finish. Iceland on the other hand kept men behind the ball before taking their chances on the counter at the other end.
England fans were salivating over their attacking prowess prior to the tournament but had major concerns about the backline. However, as previously mentioned, that supposedly great attack has failed to live up to expectations whilst the defence is yet to be tested at the tournament.
I imagine Iceland’s Swedish manager Lars Lagerback will stick to the tactic that served them so well in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and has continued to do so in the tournament itself. However, you would think England’s superior squad should be able overcome this Icelandic challenge. As expected there is no value in backing a straight England win so I have gone for England to win but both teams to score at 4/1.
Iceland have scored in all of their Euro 2016 matches so far and I expect them to take at least one of their chances. However, as previously mentioned, England should be able to come out on top.
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