England’s Euro 2016 performances thus far have been good, but the results for the most part have not followed suit. The Three Lions, though, will take a win any way they can get it as they face Iceland in the round of 16. Iceland has exceeded all expectation in this tournament, and will look to pull off one more shock at England’s expense.
Get complete preview of this final round of 16 showdown. Meanwhile, check out our preview of the other remaining round of 16 matchup, Italy vs. Spain.
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England vs. Iceland Preview
Where: Allianz Riviera Stadium – Nice, France
When: Monday, June 27, 3:00 PM ET
Line: England -205 vs. Iceland +555, tie +250; total: 2.0 – view all Euro 2016 lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN2
Betting on England (-205)
Despite failing to top its group, England still played quite well during the group stage. The Three Lions were unlucky to be denied all three points after a late equalizer by Russia, and while their only victory came via a last-minute winner against Wales, they were the much better team on the whole. They also failed to break down a very defensive Slovakia team in their final group game, which resulted in a goalless draw.
That’s been the story of England’s tournament thus far: All of their opponents have played very defensively and dared the English to break them down, which they have been unable to do. None of the five strikers manager Roy Hodgson brought to France have played particularly well, especially Tottenham star Harry Kane, of whom much was expected.
Kane, though, is set to return to the starting XI in place of Jamie Vardy, who was disappointing against Slovakia. Raheem Sterling is also expected to take the place of the injured Adam Lallana to provide a much-needed injection of pace into the attack.
England will face another opponent in Iceland which will look to defend fairly deep. The Icelanders, though, have failed to keep a single clean sheet in the tournament, with the total reaching at least two goals in all three of their group games. If the English continue to play the type of football they’ve shown so far, it should be just a matter of time before the goals finally come.
Betting on Iceland (+555)
Iceland’s run to the round of 16 has been one of the more uplifting stories of the Euros. Just like it did during qualifying, the team from the tiny island nation of a mere 300,000 people has been punching way above its weight in France.
They drew with group favorites Portugal (although everyone else did) and Hungary, and scored a dramatic last-minute win over Austria. They lack that top-caliber goalscorer, but they do have a very capable playmaker in Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has shown in his time in the English Premier League that he can compete with the best England has to offer.
Despite being significant underdogs, believe they can go and put up quite a fight against England. Co-manager Lars Lagerback is keen to remind people that he is unbeaten in six career meetings against the English (two wins and four draws).
Lagerback’s men don’t have the talent England has, but they can more than make up for that gulf in quality with teamwork and determination. Their very well-organized 4-4-2 formation can be difficult to break down, and with England’s struggles in front of goal, the Icelanders could be able to frustrate the misfiring Three Lions once again.
Writer’s Prediction
England (-205) finally finds its shooting boots as it beats Iceland, 2-1.
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