France

France vs Iceland

, KO: 19:45 Mar 25, 2019, Stade de France
Iceland

FRANCE are heavy 2/7 favourites to see off Iceland in their first home Euro qualifier but their most recent meeting suggests the Viking invaders shouldn't be as big as 10/1 outsiders with some firms.

OK, it was only a friendly when Iceland last pitched up on French soil and caused a storm to match their Thunderclap by racing into a 2-0 lead in Guingamp.

Had Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson not had the misfortune to score an own goal with four minutes to go, the comeback that ultimately saw Kylian Mbappe snatch a 2-2 draw with a late penalty may never have come to pass.

And you suspect this golden generation of Icelandic stars have a few more surprises up their sleeves after making history by qualifying for the last two major finals.

It was in France where they first burst on to the global stage, reaching the last 16 of Euro 2016 where they stunned England with a memorable 2-1 victory.

The hosts ended their adventure in the last eight, winning 5-2 in the Stade de France, and it's that game the bookies are probably basing their odds on for this latest encounter.

But the French have traditionally found Iceland tough nuts to crack, even in the days when they were considered international whipping boys.

It was 3-2 to France when these nations last met in a Paris Euro qualifier, with Iceland coming from 2-0 down to level in 1998 before David Trezeguet spared Les Bleus' blushes.

The reverse fixture in that campaign ended in a 1-1 draw back in Reykjavik and you have to go all the way back to 1957 for the last time France thrashed Iceland, dishing out 8-0 and 5-1 hidings in World Cup qualifying.

It's probably a stretch to see the Icelanders beating the world champions here but they could certainly ruffle a few feathers and both teams to score looks attractive at 13/10 with Boylesports.

France shipped a late goal in their 4-1 win over Moldova on Friday and could cough up another here, even though Iceland didn't look impressive going forward in their 2-0 win over Andorra on Friday.

Iceland may be worth backing in the handicaps where they are 10/11 with Boylesport with a two-goal advantage. They had a miserable Nations League campaign, losing every game and suffering a 6-0 hammering in Switzerland, but the friendly draw with France in October saw them get back to their old selves.

France didn't look imperious in their own Nations Cup campaign, finishing second behind a revived Dutch side on goal difference, and only scraped a 1-0 win over Uruguay at home in their last friendly thanks to Olivier Giroud's penalty.

They started the Euro qualifiers with a comfortable win in Moldova on Friday as their front three all found the target.

Antoine Griezmann has been out of sorts for Atletico Madrid recently, drawing a blank in his last six games to spark rumours he is unhappy and wants a move away.

But he remains a talismanic figure for the French and looks their best bet for a goal here after scoring in Moldova. Griezmann is 11/4 with Betfred to break the deadlock and 10/11 with Skybet in the anytime scorer market.

This match between France and Iceland will be played on Mar 25, 2019 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best France vs Iceland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.

France vs Iceland Betting Tips & Predictions
Iceland +2 in the handicaps
10/11
Boylesports
Both teams to score
13/10
Boylesports
Antoine Griezmann first scorer
11/4
Betfred
4 Comments
  1. elvis parsley 5 years ago

    Good write up Kevin Mac.
    Exactly what my thoughts were.
    Also the reason they didn’t look good going forward v Andorra probably because they don’t like forcing the game v crap teams, they have a siege mentality and are best when teams come at them and as in the 2-2 draw last October France fall into this category.

    On to prices.
    Hills and sky bet currently go
    Btts 6-4
    Iceland to score 11-8.
    Why the risk of France having a mare for the sake of a few pennies so my pick is
    ICELAND TO SCORE 11-8 NAP (HILLS)

    good luck Kevin mac

  2. elvis parsley 5 years ago

    Hills also have
    Iceland +2 handicap 6-5.
    Iceland +3 handicap 1-2.
    Though if France are in the mood could be 4-1 or 5-2 ??

  3. elvis parsley 5 years ago

    Me again 🤔

    Hills also have btts and over 2.5 at 2-1 which seems generous to me.

    • KevinMac 5 years ago

      Some good shouts in there, Elvis. Interesting to see how it develops. Hopefully France will be all shook up

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