Football
Iceland vs France Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: Monday, 13 October 2025 Kickoff Time: 19:45 BST Venue: Laugardalsvöllur Stadium, Reykjavik France return to action looking every bit like a nation that qualifies on autopilot. Two games, two wins, and barely a bead of sweat dropped. Even when they rotate half the lineup, Deschamps’ men still look composed and ruthless. Iceland is a different story. They battle, they press, they defend in numbers, but when the music starts, France always seems to be the DJ. The last meeting ended 2-1 to Les Bleus, and unless Reykjavik’s wind plays twelfth man, it could be déjà vu for Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s team.
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Kylian Mbappe of France scores his team's first goal//Getty Images
Pre-Game Outlook: France Flex Depth Despite Disruptions
France’s biggest challenge this week might be remembering who is fit. Ousmane Dembele is out injured, Desire Doue remains unavailable, and Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after his red card against Iceland last time out. But when you can replace one world-class name with another, it hardly feels like a crisis.
Kylian Mbappe’s “small niggle” in his ankle made headlines, but reports suggest he will feature. The Real Madrid star has nine goals and two assists in eight club appearances, so if he is even close to full fitness, Iceland’s defenders are in for another long night.
Christopher Nkunku makes his return to the squad, and Jean-Philippe Mateta gets his first call-up after a strong start to the Premier League season. Deschamps can now choose between raw speed and raw power up front, and he will probably use both just to prove a point.
Iceland’s game plan is no secret. They will sit deep, compress space, and hope for something from the Gudjohnsen brothers on the counter. Against Azerbaijan, that worked. Against France, it is a survival exercise.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: France Heavy Favourites
France: 2/9 (1.22) – 81.8%
Draw: 11/2 (6.50) – 15.4%
Iceland: 12/1 (13.00) – 7.7%
Odds courtesy of Stake, subject to change
Head-to-Head Record
Last Five Meetings:
09 Sep 2025 – France 2–1 Iceland
11 Oct 2019 – Iceland 0–1 France
25 Mar 2019 – France 4–0 Iceland
11 Oct 2018 – France 2–2 Iceland
03 Jul 2016 – France 5–2 Iceland
Overall Record: France 12 wins | Iceland 0 wins | 4 draws
Goals: France 44 | Iceland 13
Iceland: Current Form – L W L W L
Iceland’s form has been a rollercoaster. They looked sharp in their 5-0 win over Azerbaijan, but could not replicate that energy against France. The gulf in quality was obvious, even if the effort was there.
Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson is the creative engine, while Andri Gudjohnsen remains their best hope of goals. The defence, led by Ingason and Pálsson, is experienced but slow, and France will test every inch of that backline. If Iceland want to take something from this game, they will need to survive the first twenty minutes without panic.
Key Players to Watch
- Andri Gudjohnsen (Blackburn Rovers): Young, confident, and willing to chase hopeless balls for ninety minutes. His work rate is never in doubt.
- Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson (Koln): Calm under pressure and capable from set pieces. Iceland’s main creative outlet.
- Victor Pálsson (Horsens): Veteran leader who must organize the defence against France’s waves of pressure.
Iceland Team News
No injuries or suspensions. Gunnlaugsson expected to stick with the 5-3-2 shape, with Jóhannesson pulling strings and both Gudjohnsens leading the line.
France: Current Form – W W W L W
France’s campaign has been smooth sailing. Six points from six, four goals scored, and just one conceded. Deschamps continues to find ways to balance discipline with flair. Even without Tchouameni, the midfield remains stacked with Rabiot, Kone, and the returning Nkunku offering control and creativity.
Mbappe’s fitness is being monitored, but he is expected to start. If not, Marcus Thuram or debutant Mateta could step in. The defence looks settled with Konate and Upamecano holding firm and Maignan showing his class in goal. With Barcola and Olise on the wings, France’s attack feels unstoppable at times.
Key Players to Watch
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid): The talisman. Even when half-fit, he shifts the entire defensive line.
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich): Elegant, unpredictable, and thriving in wide spaces. A creative spark France has been missing.
- Christopher Nkunku (AC Milan): Returns with something to prove. Could make an impact off the bench.
France Team News
Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate both picked up minor knocks over the weekend but remain with the squad, undergoing light treatment as a precaution. Bradley Barcola has been released from camp due to a hamstring issue, which PSG later disputed. Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue remain unavailable, while France stay top of Group D ahead of clashes with Azerbaijan and Iceland.
Predicted Line-Up
Iceland (5-3-2): Ólafsson; Ingason, Pálsson, Grétarsson; Tómasson, Hermannsson; Thórdarson, Jóhannesson, Haraldsson; A. Gudjohnsen, D. Gudjohnsen.
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Konate, Digne; Kone, Rabiot; Olise, Nkunku, Barcola; Mbappe.
Suggested Bets
Based on current form and head-to-head records, here are our key selections alongside additional tips and predictions for today's matches.
France to Win & Over 2.5 Goals: France have scored four or more in four of their last six meetings with Iceland. 8/11 – 1.73 – 57.9% with 1xBet
Both Teams to Score – No: Iceland rarely threatens when facing France’s press. 4/7 – 1.57 – 63.6% with Betandyou
Kylian Mbappé Anytime Scorer: Even if he plays half an hour, he is likely to get on the scoresheet. 5/6 – 1.83 – 54.6% with Stake
Value Bets
Boost your potential winnings on these selections with a welcome bonus from top-rated bookmakers.
Michael Olise Anytime Assist: Set pieces and open-play creativity make him a strong option. 3/1 – 4.00 – 25% with Betandyou
Christopher Nkunku Anytime Scorer: Hungry and confident after returning to the national setup. 7/2 – 4.50 – 22.2% with BetWinner
Exact Score 0–3 France: Expect total control without fireworks. 15/2 – 8.50 – 11.8% with Betway
Prediction: France Win To Nil
France has the squad depth, confidence, and quality to cruise through this one. Iceland will show fight and discipline, but the difference in class is too wide to bridge. Expect France to take control early, frustrate the home crowd, and extend their perfect start to World Cup qualifying with another clean sheet and a professional 3-0 victory.
Joshua Gaillard is a freelance editor and dedicated Arsenal fan, known for creating fact-based, insightful content. His work, featured on top South African websites, blends analysis with engaging storytelling for clear, impactful articles.
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