When the draw as made for 2020 European Championship qualifying, Group H was always going to be a tough one to call. With France, Iceland and Turkey all capable of qualifying for a major tournament plus the threat of Albania, it was always going to be tight at the top.
On Friday 11th October, France travel to Laugardalsvöllur in Reykjavík to take on Iceland in a match which will have massive implications for the group.
The hosts begin the match in third place with 12 points from six games played. They have won four of those matches including victories over Andorra away and Albania, Turkey and Moldova at home. It has been away from home where Iceland have tasted defeat, with a 4-0 loss in France and a 4-2 defeat at Albania last time out, which could prove costly.
However, it is at home where Iceland are usually at their best and they have won all three of their home matches in this group. They have kept two clean sheets in those three games and their goal scoring record has improved steadily, netting one in the first match, two in the second and three in the third against Moldova.
Nonetheless, they did struggle at home in the Nations League, losing both home games to Belgium and Switzerland. In fact, Iceland lost six of their eight home games, including friendlies prior to the start of this qualifying campaign.
France start this round of European Championship qualifying games in second place in the group. They have 15 points from six matches and are behind Turkey on the head-to-head record. As France lost 2-0 in Turkey, their only defeat to date in the group, it means they are behind the Turks.
The French started well enough, winning in Moldova and then defeating Iceland 4-0 at home. However, it was the trip to Turkey which saw them lose their only match of the group so far, going down 2-0 in Konya, a result which gave both Turkey and Iceland hope.
France have not made any mistakes since and have beat Andorra away, Albania at home and Andorra at home. Trends show France have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions and have lost two of their last eight away from home. France have failed to score in three of their last five away matches and will be keen to get off the mark early in Iceland.
Team news and Iceland will be looking towards Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton to provide their main attacking threat. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is expected to play up-front.
1er entraînement de ce rassemblement 👊 #FiersdetreBleus #ISLFRA #FRATUR pic.twitter.com/q32v4V4zi9— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 7, 2019
1er entraînement de ce rassemblement 👊 #FiersdetreBleus #ISLFRA #FRATUR pic.twitter.com/q32v4V4zi9
France are without several injured players including Hugo Lloris, Aymeric Laporte, Samuel Umtiti and Paul Pogba. However, they have plenty of talent to call upon for this game with Antoine Griezmann, Kingsley Coman and Kylian Mbappe among them.
Iceland will try and make things as difficult as possible for the French in this game but France have the attacking capabilities to break them down. France know the importance of a win in this game and should get it, scoring 2 or more goals in the process.