TipResumen

INTRODUCTION

No doubt that this group will have a big favourite and that is Belgium, who finished third in this year's World Cup. This match between Switzerland and Iceland will determine who will be the biggest challenge to Belgium in the group. Switzerland and Iceland played at the World Cup in Russia, but they were not very successful. Switzerland did reached the last 16, but Iceland was eliminated in the group stage in their first historic appearance at the World Cup.



SWITZERLAND

Switzerland has succeeded in passing the group stage three times in a row when it comes to playing in big competitions and after that they were stopped in the last 16. That happened at two World Cups and one European Championships, although they always hoped they could progressed much further. That was what happened at the recent World Cup in Russia when they managed a win and two draws got into the last 16 before they were stopped by Sweden losing 1-0. Interestingly they made nine wins in the qualifiers, and then suffered a defeat to Portugal. After that they played nine matches without defeat, before they were beaten by Sweden. They kept faith with Vladimir Petkovic as their head coach, but he has not called up midfielders Behrami and Dzemaili for this match. Other then that the likes of Djourou and G.Fernandes, goalkeeper Burki and right-wing Lang are also not part of this team to face Iceland.



ICELAND

After their historic placement at the European Championship 2016, which was their first major participation in a big competition, Iceland has managed to qualify for their first ever World Cup finals. The difference is that at the European Championship 2016, they managed to reached the quarterfinals, but at the World Cup in Russia they failed to get past the group stage. They also had a series of poor results in their build up to the World Cup was a sign of things to come as they lost three times and played one draw, while they ayt the World Cup managed a good draw with Argentina, but then lost from Nigeria and Croatia and were eliminated. Their coach Hallgrimsson has been replaced by Swede Erik Hamren who is now being given the task to take them to their third big competition. He will not be able to count on Captain Gunnarsson,as well as Gudmondsson, who is suffering from injury. Striker Finnbogason is also out of the side, while Sigthorsson returns after two years out of the team. Their defence is not likely to be changed with Bjarnasson starting in defensive midfield, and Gislason and Traustason could also start. At the top of attack Bodvarsson will start.



PAST MEETINGS

These two teams have met in qualifiers for the World Cup 2014 and Switzerland won once and the other time it was a draw between both sides.