Preview: Poland vs. Iceland - prediction, team news, lineups

Poland play host to Iceland on Tuesday evening looking to earn a morale-boosting victory ahead of their appearance at Euro 2020.

While the visitors have missed out on another outing at a major tournament, they could also benefit from a win after a disappointing period of results since September.

Match preview

© Reuters

When Paulo Sousa was appointed as the new manager of Poland, the Portuguese would have envisaged at least three wins from his four matches in the dugout.

However, with 90 minutes remaining before Euro 2020, his team's only victory has been against Andorra, failing to defeat either of Hungary, England or Russia.

The experienced boss will hope that his players become more accustomed to his tactics as the upcoming major tournament progresses, but he will be under no illusions that he can ill-afford a further setback against Iceland.

On the plus side, Sousa will take the positives from a 1-1 draw with Russia coming without Arkadiusz Milik or Robert Lewandowski in the side, a scenario which forced other players to step up in their absence.

Jakub Swierczok netted his first international goal during that fixture and the well-travelled 28-year-old could prove to be a key member of the squad over the next month.

As far as Iceland are concerned, there was relief when they were able to edge past Faroe Islands on Friday evening courtesy of a goal 20 minutes from time.

Arnar Vidarsson's team have still won just three of their 13 fixtures since the resumption of international football in September, but it at least represented a step in the right direction.

Mikael Anderson scored the decisive strike during that game, the FC Midtjylland winger contributing his first Iceland goal since switching his allegiances from Denmark three years ago.

While Vidarsson will be realistic about his team's chances on Tuesday evening, he will still feel that they are capable of pulling off the upset after recently holding their own against Mexico.

Team News

© Reuters

Sousa is expected to revert back to his strongest lineup for this contest, resulting in a start for Lewandowski.

Mateusz Klich and Jakub Moder are competing for one place in central midfield, while Wojciech Szczesny should get the nod between the sticks.

Having kept a clean sheet against Faroe Islands, Vidarsson may opt to select the same backline and midfield for this game.

Anderson and Albert Gudmundsson are both in contention to start further forward, potentially at the expense of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.

Svein Aron Gudjohnsen, the son of former Chelsea star Eidur, is expected to remain among the replacements.

Poland possible starting lineup:

Szczensy; Helik, Glik, Bednarek; Bereszynski, Zielinski, Krychowiak, Moder, Rybus; Lewandowski, Milik

Iceland possible starting lineup:

Kristinsson; Sampsted, Hermannsson, Ingi Bjarnason, Fridriksson; Bodvarsson, Bjarnason, Gunnarsson, Johannesson, Gudmundsson; Sigborsson

We say: Poland 2-0 Iceland

Given their respective scenarios, both sets of players will want to make a positive impression in this contest. With that in mind, the home team should have too much quality for opponents who lack any kind of form against the better teams in world football.