France v Iceland Euro 2016 Predictions: Griezmann Early Goal

Categories: Football | Published by: AC

03/07/2016

Updated: 28/01/2023

France v Iceland Euro 2016 Predictions Antoine Griezmann

France v Iceland Euro 2016 Predictions and preview by Dexter

If things had gone slightly different in the second round this could have been England facing Ireland tonight in the Stade de France.

Both teams led Iceland and France respectively thanks to penalties inside the first five minutes. Yet we saw those great early advantages wiped out by tonight’s quarter-finalists.

If the nature of those two comebacks tells us anything, it’s that both teams can be assured of finding a way to score tonight. However also that both sides are capable of blunders at the back.

These two opponents have wildly different expectations in this game. Iceland really are living the dream – nobody expected them to qualify from a group that contained Portugal and much-fancied Austria. They were 15/2 just to qualify against England and now they sit one game from a possible semi-final against Germany. If the English media laid in to their team following Monday night’s defeat to Iceland, imagine the reaction if Iceland do turf out the hosts in Pairs.

That’s because France are expected to plough past Iceland. Just as they have been expected to canter past everything put in front of them so far. Nothing less than a final appearance against either Portugal or Wales will satisfy the French fans.

The bookmakers certainly don’t see another upset. France are just 1/5 to qualify for the semi-finals and 4/9 to win this game in 90 minutes. Iceland are a big 9/2 to qualify and 7/1 to win in 90 minutes. The draw is a widely available 7/2.

France should prevail in this game, but that 4/9 on them to win inside 90 minutes could make for uncomfortable watching. Especially after watching them concede that early goal against Ireland last Sunday.

Iceland can trouble a French defence which hasn’t conceded in open play yet and the both teams to score bet looks good for a bit of value at 5/4. Both teams not to score is 8/13.

If France are to progress and are to score past this Iceland defence, which has been breached in every game so far, then the man who needs to be backed is Antoine Griezmann. The Atletico Madrid man with the dodgy goal celebration has taken his time to come alive in this tournament. However given tonight’s opponents and the fact he is currently tied on three goals at the top of the scoring charts, he is 2/1 to win the Golden Boot.

He could have that accolade pretty much secured tonight and is expected to take a big step towards doing so. Griezmann is 7/2 for the opening goal which appeals.

The one good bit of football England produced on Monday night was the long ball into Raheem Sterling. This led to the English penalty. A similar supply line into Griezmann could see him thawing that Iceland defence.

Take Griezmann to score the opener, but also have a punt on Sky Bet’s 8/1 that he scores two or more. Interestingly, the price on him scoring a hat-trick which is as short as 18/1 with some bookies is a huge 50/1 with Sky Bet.