France v Iceland
Sun Jul 3rd, 20:00 BST
Live on ITV
Sun Jul 3rd, 20:00 BST
Live on ITV
Introduction
France are below-strength in two positions as Adil Rami and N'Golo Kante are suspended. Lyon's Samuel Umtiti - reportedly on the brink of a move to Barcelona - is the favourite to get picked ahead of Eliaquim Mangala as the replacement for Rami at centre-back.
Yohan Cabaye and Morgan Schneiderlin are the contenders to replace Kante in midfield, although France may use a 4-2-3-1 - as they did in the second-half of their last-16 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland - rather than a 4-3-3, which would mean Kingsley Coman keeping his place on the right wing and no direct replacement for Kante being called into midfield.
Iceland have had a trouble-free week of training are expected to stick with the Starting XI that beat England 2-1 last Monday.
Match Odds
France 1.45, Iceland 9.80, The Draw 4.70
France have blown hot and cold at this tournament but are overwhelming favourites to win and for all the doubts about them it is difficult to argue with that assessment.
Les Bleus produced their best 45 minutes of the tournament to come from 1-0 down at half-time to beat the Republic of Ireland 2-1 in the last 16, and that second-half performance gives them some foundations to build on. Coach Didier Deschamps instructed Antoine Griezmann to get much closer to Olivier Giroud and all of a sudden France were dangerous in attack, with Griezmann scoring twice and the pair combining expertly for the Atletico Madrid attacker's second goal.
Iceland deserve enormous praise for getting this far and are a better footballing side than many give them credit for, as they illustrated with their well-constructed second goal against England. But the truth is that Roy Hodgson's side didn't test Iceland's defence in that game, so we didn't see how resolute these underdogs are. With Payet and Griezmann having proved match-winners so far and Giroud more effective than his critics give him credit for, France are the only sensible option in this market.
Asian handicap
If the price on a France victory is too short to appeal to you then consider backing the hosts on the Asian handicap. You will get better odds on a France win, and the only way you can lose your stakes is if Deschamps' side fail to win the game in 90 minutes.
For a guide to Asian handicap betting, click here.
Recommended Bets
France -1.0 Asian handicap 1.80
Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.16
