Hosts France have looked nervy throughout the competition and that did not change in the last 16 match where they were poor in the first half against Republic of Ireland but managed to come out as the eventual 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from Antoine Griezmann. They will need to be more consistent if they are to win another trophy on home soil.
Undoubtedly the biggest surprise at EURO 2016 and possibly in international football history – Iceland, with a population of just over 300,000 are through to the quarter finals of the Euros. They disposed of England in the last knockout round with a heroic display to record the greatest day in their footballing history. They are a proper team who are well organised and are capable of hurting their opposition – as shown by the fact they have scored in every game at the tournament so far.
As per usual, the French are the favourites for this game and you would expect them to have learned lessons from England on Monday night in order to ensure they do suffer a similarly embarrassing fate.
However, as previously mentioned, Iceland have been good going forward in this tournament and were even brave enough to play 4-4-2 against England. Whether they will be able to jump up another level for this match against France remains to be seen and unfortunately I am not sure this fairy tale will continue.
The romantic in me (and bitter Englishman) wants to back Iceland but I just cannot see it. France will realise this is a massive occasion for them and if they were to lose, the outcry in their homeland would arguably be worse than the one currently going on England. Despite believing France should come through this, I still back Iceland to score as they once again have nothing to lose. France to win and both teams to score is good value at 16/5.
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