England vs Iceland Prediction: Three Lions to head to Euros in style
England are back in action after their 3-0 success of Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday night, as they host Iceland at Wembley in their final game before Euro 2024 gets underway. With his final 26-man squad set to be finalised on Saturday, this truly is a last-chance saloon for any fringe players to break into the squad.
We are likely to see a far stronger starting XI named by Gareth Southgate, and his selection could indicate which players are going to make it onto the plane to Germany. The Three Lions look strong going forward, but defensive injuries and issues could hamper them this summer. Here’s my England vs Iceland predictions.
Team News
England are still sweating on the fitness of defensive duo Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, with the left-back seemingly ahead of his Manchester United teammate in his recovery. I expect neither to play in this one, but both to be included in the squad, even if they are not fit until after the group stages. Jude Bellingham is expected to miss this one again, while captain Harry Kane should start having come off the bench against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
We can expect to see a line-up that is likely to start the first group game against Serbia, with Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, John Stones and Kyle Walker all in the running for a starting spot. Adam Wharton and Jack Grealish may also be handed opportunities, but these may come from the bench.
Iceland will face the Netherlands on Monday after their trip to Wembley and there are a few familiar faces to English football fans in their squad. Captain Johann Berg Gudmondssen plys his trade for Burnley, while Arnor Sigurdsson plays for local rivals Blackburn Rovers. It’s worth keeping an eye on 19-year-old striker Orri Oskarsson, who has already scored two goals for his country after an impressive end to the season with Copenhagen.
England are the big favourites to win this match, priced at 3/25 to win the game, giving them a win probability of 89%, while Iceland are the outsiders at 17/1. A draw can be backed at 34/5, over 2.5 goals is 41/100 and BTTS is 33/25.
Harry Kane anytime goalscorer @ 57/100
England’s captain scored off the bench against Bosnia-Herzegovina, and he is likely to start this one as Southgate looks to finalise his preferred starting XI. Kane is England’s top goalscorer of all time, with a phenomenal 62 goals too his name in 89 appearances, and he will want to warm up for the Euros with another goal here.
Supported by such great attacking talent - and I haven’t even mentioned the name Phil Foden yet - Kane should be in a strong position to win the Golden Boot this summer, if England can go deep into the tournament. He is a smart pick to score anytime against Iceland, who may find life difficult against England.
England -2.5 handicap @ 1/1
I think England will win this game and win it comfortably, which is why my second selection is the Three Lions to win by three goals - or with a -2.5 handicap. They beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-0 on Monday with a much-changed side, and although Iceland are a step up in quality, I think England’s big guns will be rolled out.
Southgate will probably know his final squad by the time the game gets underway, but there’s going to be players who want to sway his final decision in the squad. And there’s also starting places up for grabs, especially with some of the defensive injuries to Magurie and Shaw. There’s an awful lot to play for, and I think England will come out as big winners.
Check out our other Soccer Betting Predictions here.
