Two well-known Fantasy Premier League assets headline the options available in Iceland’s squad for the World Cup.
Gylfi Sigurdsson and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are both worth considering while a goal-scoring defender is on offer too.
We’ve got everything you need to know about Iceland’s squad right here…
ROAD TO QUALIFICATION
As demonstrated previously at Euro 2016, Iceland’s ability to be more than the sum of its parts was the key to their qualification for a first ever World Cup. In fact, such was their success over the last two years that Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side finished above Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey to end up as in UEFA Group I winners.
Continuity of personnel was the recurring theme as eight players started at least nine of the qualifying matches on the road to Russia, largely in a 4-4-2 formation. That enabled Iceland to win seven times dropping points only in a 1-1 draw with Ukraine in the opener, and when losing away to Croatia and Finland. The Icelanders were unstoppable at home, winning all five meetings in Reykjavik, including a morale-boosting one over Group I favourites Croatia – who they will also face in Russia.
The only discouraging factors are the fitness of key players Gylfi Sigurdsson and defensive midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, and the lack of strength in depth their potential absences could expose. The Everton man’s last club appearance came in March after a difficult season, while Cardiff’s Gunnarsson, Iceland’s captain, only came back from his lay-off in April. Without both of those two individuals in their starting line-up, Iceland were easily beaten by Mexico and Peru in March and by Norway earlier this month.
UEFA QUALIFYING
Most starts: Birkir Saevarsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson (all 10), Kari Aranson, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Birkir Bjarnason, Aron Gunnarsson, Hannes Thor Halldorsson (all 9).
Most goals: G Sigurdsson (4), Alfred Finnbogason (3), Arnason, Gudmundsson (both 2).
Most assists: G Sigurdsson (4), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (3), Arnason (2).
THE KEY TARGETS
Despite a tough first campaign with Everton, Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.2m on Fantasy iTeam | £8.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) remains the stand-out Fantasy asset for Iceland. The former Reading midfielder was both the top goal-scorer and assister in qualifying, involving himself in exactly half of his nation’s 16 goals. Traditionally, Sigurdsson has operated as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 system with the national team, but a recent tactical tweak by Halgrimsson has brought 4-5-1 into the mix, which could allow Sigurdsson to take up a slightly more advanced role. He scored his 19th International goal for Iceland on Saturday in a substitute’s appearance against Norway, so his recovery from injury appears to be on track.
After helping Burnley qualify for European football for the first time in 51 years this season, Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.8m on Fantasy iTeam | £6.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) will be hoping to take his fine form into the World Cup. Only seven Premier League midfielders created more chances this season than the 27-year-old (67), averaging at just under two per game. For Iceland, he scored twice in qualifying and laid on another assist. Since that campaign ended, he has gone from strength-to-strength in the Premier League so there is every reason why he can do even better in Russia compared to his performances on the road to the finals.
Centre-back Kari Arnason (£5.5m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) is worth considering for his involvement in four goals during qualifying, two scored himself and two assisted. The former Aberdeen man has experience playing in midfield in the Football League, most notably with Plymouth Argyle and Rotherham United, and so is adept at contributing to attacks. A threat from set-pieces and capable of threading passes from deep, he is the best Iceland defender to consider. Five clean sheets were recorded from a possible 10 in qualifying, one of them against upcoming Group D opponents Croatia. So with shutouts not out of the question, Arnason’s ability to score points from multiple avenues makes him a very attractive Fantasy prospect.
THE LONG SHOTS
Reading striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (£6.0m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) could be a useful differential although Fantasy managers looking to him will have to consider he is not rotation-proof. Hallgrimsson has struggled to find a replacement for their number one forward Kolbeinn Sigthorsson who has missed 18 months of football with a meniscus tear. Bodvarsson started just six of Iceland’s qualifying matches but only Sigurdsson recorded more assists than him. Bodvarsson’s strength, work ethic and height could come in very handy against a particularly dodgy defence on offer at Argentina, who are without Sergio Romero in goal and conceded 10 goals in two games against Spain and Nigeria.
An alternative up front is Alfred Finnbogason (£6.0m on Fantasy iTeam | £6.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) who is a little slower and not as strong as Bodvarsson, but is more dangerous on the ball. He scored three times in qualifying from six starts, while Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (£5.7m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) found the net once from two starts.
If Iceland do pull off some clean sheets in Russia, then goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson (£5.6m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) and right-back Birkir Saevarsson (£5.5m on Fantasy iTeam | £5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) are the players to consider as long shots. Randers shot-stopper Halldorsson started all but one of the qualifying matches and made more saves in the UEFA region (27). apart from Sweden’s Robin Olsen (39). Meanwhile, Saevarsson was an ever-present in defence and also recorded one assist for the national side.
UPCOMING FRIENDLIES
None
Further Analysis
Our comprehensive World Cup guide can be found here.
Group A – Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group B – Iran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain
Group C – Australia, Peru, France, Denmark
Group D – Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E – Brazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Serbia
Group F – Mexico, Germany, Sweden, South Korea
Group G – Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
Group H – Senegal, Japan, Poland, Colombia
Our editor’s Fantasy World Cup tips as told to Proper Sport
FANTASY ITEAM
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Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.
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