France will hope to avoid an upset in the World Cup qualifiers in Group D when they welcome Iceland to Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
Both sides have three points after their first group game, with Les Bleus beating Ukraine 2-0 on Friday, while Iceland triumphed 5-0 against Azerbaijan on the same date.
France were no doubt fortunate to keep a clean sheet against Ukraine given their opponents created four big chances, hit the woodwork and squandered golden opportunities in the box.
The victory did little to dampen the criticism that boss Didier Deschamps has frequently faced, with his detractors arguing that his brand of football does not maximise the star power at his disposal.
The hosts have netted two or more goals in eight of their last 10, and they have kept three clean sheets in the four games leading up to Tuesday’s clash.
Deschamps’s side have proven difficult to beat at home given their record of three wins, one defeat and one stalemate in their last five in France.
Iceland were only winning 1-0 at the half-time interval against Azerbaijan – they netted in the second minute of stoppage time – and they should be credited for their strong defensive display in the second 45 minutes considering they prevented their opponents from producing a single shot.
France should be seen as favourites considering they boast some of the world’s most talented players, and their record against the visitors is excellent.
Iceland may pose some challenges, especially after their confidence-boosting victory against Azerbaijan, but it is difficult to see them overcoming the hosts’ qualities.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
