England vs Iceland Predictions

England vs Iceland predictions, betting tips and match previews for their international friendly. England’s Euro 2024 hopefuls have one last chance to impress Gareth Southgate on Friday evening against Iceland at Wembley in their final warm-up fixture. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Friendlies: | Jun 7, 2024 at 7:45pm UK at Wembley Stadium

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England vs Iceland Predictions

England Seek Convincing Win Over Iceland in Final Euro 2024 Warm-Up

England’s national football team will face Iceland in their final warm-up game before Euro 2024 at Wembley Stadium on Friday evening. This friendly presents a crucial opportunity for Gareth Southgate’s squad to fine-tune their strategies and secure a confidence-boosting victory. Iceland, who missed out on Euro 2024 qualification, will look to put on a solid performance against a formidable English side.

Recent Performances

England

England’s recent form has been somewhat mixed. After struggling in the first half of their friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Three Lions ultimately triumphed 3-0, thanks to goals from Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Harry Kane. Despite the scoreline, the performance raised questions about the team’s attacking efficiency and consistency.

England’s recent results have included a winless streak before their victory over Bosnia. They failed to defeat Brazil and Belgium in March, highlighting areas that need improvement. However, the return to winning ways is a positive sign as they gear up for Euro 2024. With key players like Bukayo Saka, John Stones, and Jude Bellingham set to return, Southgate’s side will aim to deliver a more convincing performance against Iceland.

Iceland

Iceland, under the guidance of Age Hareide, have had a challenging time recently. They failed to qualify for Euro 2024, losing to Ukraine in their playoff final despite taking an early lead. This defeat was a blow to their hopes of participating in another major tournament. Nevertheless, Iceland have shown resilience in their friendly matches, securing wins against Guatemala and Honduras earlier this year.

Their form in competitive fixtures has been inconsistent, with notable victories but also several losses. Iceland’s ability to compete against higher-ranked teams will be tested once again when they face England at Wembley. Missing key attackers like Albert Gudmundsson and Alfred Finnbogason, Iceland will rely on their defensive solidity and the experience of players like Johann Berg Gudmundsson to challenge the English side.

Tactical Analysis

England

Expected Lineup: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane

Gareth Southgate is likely to field a strong lineup, close to his first-choice XI for the Euros. England’s tactical setup will focus on maintaining possession, exploiting width through their full-backs, and creating chances through the creative midfield trio of Alexander-Arnold, Rice, and Bellingham. The return of key players should bolster their attacking and defensive stability.

Iceland

Expected Lineup: Valdimarsson; Sampsted, Ingason, Gretarsson, Thorarinsson; Thorsteinsson, Gudmundsson, Traustason, Haraldsson; Gudjohnsen, Oskarsson

Iceland will adopt a more defensive approach, aiming to frustrate England and hit on the counter-attack. With their key attackers absent, Iceland will focus on maintaining a compact defensive shape and utilising set-pieces to create scoring opportunities. The experience of Gudmundsson and the defensive organisation will be crucial in their strategy.

Key Areas and Player Duels

The midfield battle will be critical in determining the flow of the game. England’s midfield trio of Rice, Bellingham, and Alexander-Arnold will look to dominate possession and create chances. Iceland’s midfield, led by Gudmundsson, will aim to disrupt their rhythm and provide defensive cover.

The duel between Harry Kane and Iceland’s central defenders will be pivotal. Kane’s goal-scoring prowess and ability to link play will be essential for England’s attack. On the other hand, Iceland’s defensive line, particularly Ingason and Gretarsson, will need to be at their best to contain England’s attacking threats.

Gameplay Predictions

England are expected to control possession and create more scoring opportunities. Their full-backs, Walker and Trippier, will provide width and support in attack, while the midfield will aim to break down Iceland’s defensive setup. Iceland will focus on a solid defensive structure and quick counter-attacks to exploit any gaps left by England.

Strengths and Weaknesses

England

Strengths:

• Strong attacking options with depth in the squad.
• Solid defensive record, with key players returning.
• Ability to maintain possession and control the tempo.

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistencies in converting chances into goals.
• Occasional defensive lapses against high-quality opposition.
• Pressure to deliver in a high-stakes friendly before a major tournament.

Iceland

Strengths:

• Resilience and ability to compete against stronger teams.
• Solid defensive organisation.
• Effective in set-piece situations.

Weaknesses:

• Absence of key attacking players.
• Inconsistent results against top-tier teams.
• Vulnerability to sustained pressure from stronger opponents.

Managerial Analysis

Gareth Southgate has been pragmatic in his approach, focusing on a balanced team capable of both defending and attacking effectively. His team’s occasional inconsistency in front of goal is an area of concern. Age Hareide, managing Iceland, has emphasised resilience and defensive discipline. However, the lack of consistent offensive output remains a challenge.

Expected Goals Analysis

England have averaged 2.8 goals per game in their European Championship qualifiers, indicating a strong offensive capability. Their shot metrics, with 12.8 total shots per game and 5.6 on target, suggest they create numerous chances. Iceland, averaging 1.8 goals per game, rely heavily on counter-attacks and set-pieces. Their defensive stats, with 1.6 goals conceded per game, show resilience but also areas for improvement against stronger teams.

Betting Angles and Predictions

Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals

Given the defensive strengths of both teams and their recent form, it is highly likely that this match will see fewer than three goals. England’s recent matches have tended towards low-scoring affairs, particularly as they fine-tune their defensive solidity ahead of Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate’s emphasis on a strong defensive foundation, coupled with Iceland’s compact and resilient defensive approach, suggests that clear-cut chances will be at a premium.

Iceland, missing key attacking players such as Albert Gudmundsson and Alfred Finnbogason, will likely focus on keeping the scoreline respectable, further reducing the likelihood of a high-scoring game. Hence, backing under 2.5 goals appears to be a prudent choice.

Correct Score Prediction: England 2-0 Iceland

Aligning with the best bet, a 2-0 scoreline in favour of England seems plausible. The Three Lions have demonstrated their ability to control games and score goals while maintaining defensive discipline. Iceland, on the other hand, have struggled to find the net against stronger opponents, particularly in the absence of their key attackers.

England’s superior quality and depth, combined with their home advantage at Wembley, should enable them to secure a comfortable victory. The predicted scoreline reflects England’s capacity to break down Iceland’s defence while also highlighting Iceland’s likely focus on limiting the damage.

Goalscorer Prediction: Harry Kane to Score

Harry Kane, England’s talismanic striker, is a prime candidate to find the back of the net in this fixture. Kane’s recent form has been impressive, and his ability to score in crucial moments is well-documented.

Given his role as the focal point of England’s attack, Kane is likely to be heavily involved in any goal-scoring opportunities that arise. Iceland’s defence, while resilient, has shown vulnerabilities, and Kane’s movement, finishing ability, and experience will be key in exploiting these weaknesses. Considering his track record, Kane scoring at least once in this match is a strong possibility.

First Team to Score: England

Considering England’s superior attacking options and Iceland’s defensive approach, it is highly probable that England will be the first team to score. The Three Lions are expected to dominate possession and create early chances, leveraging their home advantage and the quality of their attacking players.

Iceland’s strategy will likely be to sit deep and absorb pressure, but England’s ability to break down defences, particularly through the creativity of players like Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, suggests that an early breakthrough is likely. England scoring first would set the tone for the rest of the match, allowing them to control the game.

Innovative Market: Total Team Shots on Target (England Over 5.5)

Given England’s average of 5.6 shots on target per game in their European Championship qualifiers, predicting them to exceed this number against Iceland’s defence offers a compelling betting angle. England’s attacking intent and ability to create scoring opportunities consistently suggest that they will test Iceland’s goalkeeper frequently.

With key players returning to the lineup, Southgate’s side will be eager to assert their dominance and fine-tune their attacking play ahead of Euro 2024. This market provides value as it reflects England’s offensive capabilities and their likely strategy to put Iceland under sustained pressure.

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