England vs Iceland tips: Nations League preview and odds
England can restore some pride after their Nations League disappointment with victory against Iceland at Wembley on Wednesday.
The Three Lions were defeated 2-0 by Belgium to end their hopes of qualifying for the finals, leaving Denmark and the Red Devils to fight it out for a place in the finals.
Iceland are bottom of Group A2 with no points, and England will be hoping to produce a better performance than they did during the drab 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture in September.
England vs Iceland predictions
England will be hurting from their loss to Belgium where two first-half goals were enough to secure the win for the hosts. What will be more worrying was England’s lack of threat in front of goal, managing just two shots on target in the game. Iceland have struggled this year, winning three of their nine games and losing the other six. We expect England to comfortably secure a win and condemn Iceland to their fifth loss in a row.
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England vs Iceland betting tips
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
England to end with a convincing win
England started slowly against Belgium and were duly punished and while Harry Kane saw a header cleared off the line by Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Southgate’s side rarely threatened Thibaut Courtois’ goal thereafter.
England were without usual starters Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling and Southgate has a lot of thinking to do when it comes to which players are capable of filling the void.
With both teams out of the running for the Nations League, the pressure is off in this game, and while the visitors will almost certainly play a deep block in an attempt to frustrate England, the Three Lions should have enough to break them down.
Iceland have lost their last four games in a row in all competitions, and while they only suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to England in Reykjavik, it doesn’t look like that losing run will end on Wednesday.
Iceland have seen over 2.5 goals in their four losses, while England have scored over 2.5 goals in their last two friendlies when the pressure has been off the players.
Tip: England to win & over 2.5 goals @ 8/11 with bet365
Clean sheet for the Three Lions
England can use the game against Iceland to start another clean sheet run and end a disappointing Nations League campaign on a positive note.
They were on a six-game run without conceding a goal before last month’s 2-1 win against Belgium at Wembley. Since then, two of their last three have seen them concede a goal.
Iceland have scored in four of their last five outings, but England’s defence should have enough to keep them at bay again.
England battled to a 1-0 win last time out against Iceland, and they kept a clean sheet against the Republic of Ireland last week, and we are confident the Three Lions can win without conceding on Wednesday.
Tip: England to win to nil @ 4/6 with bet365
Calvert-Lewin to take advantage
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is likely to start in attack after only getting just over 20 minutes as a substitute against Belgium.
The Everton striker scored from the spot in his last start against Ireland, making it two goals in four appearances since making his England debut against Wales.
With 13 goals in 15 appearances for club and country, we are backing Calvert-Lewin to score at any time against Iceland and strengthen his claim for a place in next year’s Euro 2021 squad.
Tip: Calvert-Lewin to score at any time @ 20/21 with bet365
England vs Iceland odds
England are the overwhelming favourites with the bookies pricing them at 2/11 to win at Wembley. Iceland can be backed at 14/1 to pull off an upset like they did against the Three Lions at Euro 2016, while the draw is 11/2.
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
England team news
Southgate is likely to shake things up with nothing riding on the game, starting with Nick Pope taking the gloves from Jordan Pickford in goal. Ben Chilwell came off injured against Belgium, meaning Bukayo Saka should start at left-back with Arsenal team-mate Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the opposite flank. Harry Winks and Jadon Sancho could also start having been subs against Belgium.
England predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Pope; Walker, Keane, Mings; Maitland-Niles, Rice, Winks, Saka; Sancho, Foden; Calvert-Lewin.
Iceland team news
Hordur Magnusson is suspended after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Denmark. Alfons Sampsted, Fannar Baldursson and Aron Gudjohnsen could all get starts with Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Gylifi Sigurdsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson and Alfred Finnbogason ruled out.
Iceland predicted line-up (3-5-2): Runarsson; Sampsted, Ingason, Hermansson; Saevarsson, Baldursson, Bjarnason, Johannesson, Skulason; Gudjohnsen, Sigthorsson.
Last five results
England
15 Nov 20 NL Belgium 2 England 0 L
12 Nov 20 F England 3 Ireland 0 W
14 Oct 20 NL England 0 Denmark 1 L
11 Oct 20 NL England 2 Belgium 1 W
8 Oct 20 F England 3 Wales 0 W
Iceland
15 Nov 20 NL Denmark 2 Iceland 1 L
12 Nov 20 EC Hungry 2 Iceland 1 L
14 Oct 20 NL Iceland 1 Belgium 2 L
11 Oct 20 NL Iceland 0 Denmark 3 L
8 Oct 20 EC Iceland 2 Romania 1 W
England vs Iceland: previous meetings
5 Sep 20 NL Iceland 0 England 1
27 Jun 16 EC England 1 Iceland 2
4 Jun 04 F England 6 Iceland 1
NL Nations League F Friendly EC European Championship
