UEFA Nations League team news and prediction: Iceland vs England
England play their first international fixture since their 7-0 win over Montenegro in November when they face Iceland to kick off their UEFA Nations League campaign in Reykjavik this weekend.
Gareth Southgate oversaw a third-placed finish in the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament in 2018/19 and he'll hope to manage the Three Lions to some silverware this time out. First, though, he'll need to navigate a tricky trip to an Iceland side that has won six of their last seven home matches when the pair clash today.
When is kick off?
Saturday 5th September, 17:00GMT
Where is the match?
Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Main Event
2018/19 UEFA Nations League Performance
England topped topped Group 4 in dramatic fashion in 2018/19 as late goals from Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane saw them land a 2-1 win over Croatia and pip Spain to first in their UEFA Nations League group. The Three Lions ultimately finished third in the finals stage, falling to a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the semi-finals before beating Switzerland on penalties.
For Iceland, they finished bottom of Group 2 having lost all four games at the hands of group winners Switzerland and second placed Belgium. They'll hope to put in a much better showing this time out as they face England for the first time since their 2-1 Euro 2016 win.
Team News
For Iceland, household names Gylfi Sigurdsson and Johann Berg Gudmundsson both made themselves unavailable for Iceland this week as they focus on the season ahead for Everton and Burnley, respectively. Aron Gunnarsson is also ruled out due to travel restrictions under new FIFA rules by his Qatari club Al Arabi, while Alfred Finnbogason and Ragnar Sigurdsson also miss out.
In the England camp, Manchester United pair Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford have withdrawn from the England squad. Maguire is dealing with off-field issues, while Rashford is injured. The same can be said for Harry Winks, who pulled out of the Three Lions side due to injury. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Conor Coady and Jack Grealish, who has some missed some training sessions with a niggling injury, have all been called up in their absence and the trio, among others, are looking to land their first senior cap for the Gareth Southgate's side over the coming days.
Possible XI
Iceland (442) - Halldorsson; Hermannsson, Arnason, Ingason, Skulason; Sigurdsson, Bjarnason, Traustason, Anderson; Sigthorsson, Bodvarsson
England (433) - Pope; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Dier, Walker; Ward-Prowse, Rice, Mount; Sancho, Kane, Sterling
The Last Meeting
The last match between the pair proved to be the end for Roy Hodgson as England boss. Indeed, the Three Lions scraped through their group at Euro 2016, finishing second to Wales as they drew with Russia and Slovakia and beat the Dragons to pick up five points from nine. However, the last-16 draw proved favourable for England as, despite finishing second, they took on Iceland at the Allianz Riviera.
Wayne Rooney put England ahead from the spot after just four minutes and many felt that perfect start would see the national side cruise into the quarter-finals. Iceland had other ideas, however. They drew level through Ragnar Sigurdsson two minutes later before Joe Hart allowed a tame Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, who is expected to start this weekend, effort past him on 18 minutes.
England huffed and puffed to draw level, mustering 18 shots in total, but it was an insipid display from the Three Lions that saw Hodgson tender his resignation shortly after the full time whistle in their 2-1 defeat in France. Sam Allardyce took over the reins briefly before Gareth Southgate was named head coach for the national team and the 50-year-old will be out to banish the demons of 2016 and get England's Nations League campaign off to a winning start.
Prediction: Iceland 0-2 England
