*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Belgium and Iceland are both considered outsiders to qualify out of Group D, with France and Italy heavily tipped to make the knockout stages. It is, therefore, imperative for both teams that they get their campaign off to a winning start on Sunday.
Belgium, who qualified as Group H winners ahead of Switzerland and Romania, are seen as slight favourites against an Iceland side that qualified as one of the three best runners up.
Both sides are in good shape in World Cup qualification and can still qualify automatically if they win their remaining group games.
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The two sides boast almost identical records over the past 12 games, with Iceland winning 10 and losing two and Belgium winning eight, losing two, and winning two via penalty shootouts.
With that in mind, Sunday’s game is decidedly tricky to predict.
Euro 2022 Group D: Belgium v Iceland
Sunday 10th July, 5pm KO (Man City Academy Stadium, Manchester)
TV: BBC Two, BBC iPlayer
Want to know more about the two sides on show?
- Here’s the lowdown on Belgium, who are playing in just their second ever major tournament
- And we’ve got you covered with all you need to know on unfancied Iceland
Short-Priced Punt: Iceland to win
Iceland are considered marginal outsiders for Sunday’s game but have shown excellent form over the past 12 months. Thorsteinn Halldorsson’s side currently sit second in their World Cup qualifying group, just two points behind a very strong Dutch team with a game-in-hand. They have won five games out of six in World Cup qualifying and come into their Euros opener on the back of three straight wins.
Their only two defeats in the last 12 months have come against the USA and the Netherlands – who contested the 2019 World Cup final – and they will fancy their chances against a lowly-ranked Belgium side.
Belgium are the lowest-ranked side in Group D and lost two of their four warm-up games ahead of the Euros.
Iceland have a very good chance of getting their campaign off to a winning start.
Value Play: Sveindis Jonsdottir to score anytime
Named Icelandic Female Footballer of the Year in 2021, Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir will be key to Iceland’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
The 21-year-old Wolfsburg winger has scored seven goals in 19 international appearances to date, including three goals in her last six appearances in World Cup qualifiers.
A recent Bundesliga winner with Wolfsburg, Jonsdottir brings genuine class to this Icelandic outfit and can prove the difference in what will be a tight game against Belgium.
Long Shot: Iceland to win to nil, Jonsdottir to score & 10+ corners
A 5-0 drubbing against the USA aside, Iceland do not concede many goals.
Halldorsson’s side have kept seven clean sheets in their last 11 games and face a Belgian side that has failed to score in four of their last eight outings.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see them fail to score for a fifth time in nine games on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, Belgium average 5.5 corners per game over their past eight fixtures and are likely to put the Iceland goal under serious pressure if they do go behind.
Iceland, on the other hand, won 16 corners and conceded 18 in their three games at the recent SheBelieves Cup and are likely to win a number of corners of their own against Belgium on Sunday.
Belgium v Iceland Tips
Short-Priced Punt: Iceland to win
Value Play: Sveindis Jonsdottir to score anytime
Long Shot: Iceland to win to nil, Jonsdottir to score & 10+ corners
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
READ MORE
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