Iceland – Portugal

Portugal will take three points against Iceland

Iceland will face Portugal on Tuesday 20 June. In Group J, the only intrigue will be the fight for the second position. Portugal are off to a very strong start, leaving no chance for their opponents. Iceland still have a chance of qualifying, but everything will depend on the games against their direct rivals. Icelandic football is going through a difficult time after a breakthrough from 2015 to 2018. After that, there has been a total decline. The team no longer has players of Gylfi Sigurdsson's level. The Severners are now more in line with the outsiders. In the last match the team lost to Slovakia, but in terms of chances the game was equal. Iceland are trying to move away from a purely defensive model. In the match there was a scheme with three strikers. In the game against Portugal, however, such a layout is unlikely. Iceland had previously beaten Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 away in qualifying. They got a 7-0 win against Liechtenstein. Formally, they even managed to clinch a series of three games that ended in a tie, but such games are not very representative. In the Nations League, Iceland finished third in the group of only three teams. The northerners have drawn four games against Israel and Albania. The team has obvious problems in attack. The only decent option in attack is 34-year-old striker Finnbogason. There are hardly any players from the top leagues in the squad. Portugal remain one of the strongest national teams in the world. The team has had a good start to the new journey with coach Roberto Martinez. The result was even better than expected: three victories by a total score of 13-0. Still, we shouldn't overestimate their success. The calendar was too easy. Portugal thrashed Liechtenstein at home, then scored six goals against Luxembourg and took on Bosnia and Herzegovina at home. The last game against Bosnia was a Bruno Fernandes' side's finale. The Manchester United leader scored a double and a goal. Portugal still have virtually two star-studded squads. One of the deepest squads in Europe. The coach can afford not to field even substitute players on the level of Rafael Leão. Portugal's attack is terrifying by name, although Cristiano Ronaldo gradually seems increasingly like a slowing down element for Fernandes, Felix and Silva. Portugal are unlikely to continue their run of defeats. The team is in great form, but there is still the factor of leader fatigue from a busy season. Iceland, thanks to their tight defence, are sure to make life difficult for the favourites. A win for the visitors is not too much of an issue, but the Nordic side are capable of conceding no more than two goals.