England will start their 2020-21 UEFA Nations League campaign against Iceland in Reykjavik on Saturday evening.
Match Timing: September 05 (9:30 PM IST)
Team Preview
The Three Lions are ready for the first international assignment after Euro 2020 qualifier. They last appeared in an international match in November 2019, when they defeated Kosovo 4-0 in their final Euro 2020 qualifier game. England had so many positives from their previous performance in the Nations League. In 2018-19, England topped the group England that contained Spain and Croatia. In the semifinal, they lost to the Netherlands who eventually lost to Portugal in the final, and later, Lions defeated Switzerland in the 3rd place-off game. England would aim to play the final this time and their current form is strong to boost their hopes. Gareth Southgate's side is placed in Group A2 along with strong Belgium and Denmark, they would face next on October 12 and October 14.
Meanwhile, Iceland recently appeared in two friendly matches against Canada and El Salvador before the COVID-19 outbreak. In the inaugural edition of the Nations League, they lost all four matches and finished bottom in the table. Erik Hamren's men are now focused on the qualification for the next summer's European Championships. They will face Romania in the semi-finals of the qualification playoffs to play either Hungary or Bulgaria in the final. They aim to start their campaign on a positive note. They had done before in 2016 and when they reached into the quarterfinal, following a 2-1 victory against England in the Round of 16.
Starting Lineups & Current Form
Iceland
Lineup: Halldorsson; Hermannsson, Arnason, Ingason, Skulason; A Sigurdsson, Bjarnason, Trautason, Anderson; Bodvarsson, Sigthorsson
Current Form: L W D W W W
England
Lineup: Pope; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Keane, Walker; Mount, Rice, Foden; Sterling, Kane, Sancho
Current Form: W W L W W W
Key Players
Iceland
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson
3 goals in Euro Qualifiers 2020
Birkir Bjarnason
3 goals & 2 assists Euro Qualifiers 2020
England
Raheem Sterling
20 goals in English Premier League 2019-20
Jadon Sancho
17 goals & 16 assist in Bundesliga 2019-20
