Iceland v Hungary Euro 2016 preview: Lars Lagerback wants to build on Portugal result

Iceland joint coach Lars Lagerback is refusing to get carried away ahead of Saturday's Euro 2016 clash with Hungary (kick-off 5pm) following an impressive 1-1 draw with Portugal.

Birkir Bjarnason's equaliser early in the second period, after Nani had put Portugal ahead, was enough to secure a shock point for the country with the smallest population in the tournament.

Next up are Hungary, who enjoyed a 2-0 over Austria, and Lagerback is aware Saturday's opponents in Marseille will pose a huge test for his side, even if they are still on a massive high from that Portugal result.

He said: "Even though Austria is a good team, I don't think it was a big surprise. There are such small margins when you come to these championships. 

"You can progress from a group of death as we did with Sweden once but you can go out also. We're far from that yet. 

"We haven't started climbing any volcanoes yet. We have to keep our feet on the ground and do a good job against Hungary, otherwise we will lose that match."

Hungary's Zoltan Gera has paid tribute to keeper Gabor Kiraly, who became the oldest player to take part in a European Championship in the Austria win.

The former Crystal Palace and Fulham keeper kept a clean sheet in the game, which came 75 days after his 40th birthday.

"When you see him in your team you have no fear, because you know he will do his best all the time," Gera said. "I love playing with Gabor."

Gera knows avoiding defeat in Marseille will virtually guarantee Hungary a place in the next round.

He added: "It's a great start, and if we don't lose to Iceland we have a real chance to go through.

"But we are not finished yet, we have to keep going, keep pushing, and hopefully we can win against Iceland."

Team news

Iceland are likely to name the same XI which battled their way to a hard-earned 1-1 draw with Portugal.

There is still a question mark over the full fitness of Gergo Lovrencsics, who has a knee injury.

Right-back Attila Fiola will be assessed by the Hungarian medical team before kick-off.

Match stats

Hungary have beaten Iceland in five successive matches. Iceland's last victory was in June 1995.

Iceland have conceded at least three goals in each of their last three games against Hungary.

There have been 14 goals in the last three encounters between Iceland and Hungary, an average of 4.7 per game.

Hungary and Iceland have faced each other 10 times previously, but none of these games has ended as a draw (three wins for Iceland, seven for Hungary).

Gera has scored three goals in two appearances against Iceland and made more tackles, seven, than any other player over the first round of group matches.

Iceland have lost only once in their last seven competitive matches (W3 D3).

The last seven goals scored by Iceland have all been scored by different players (including friendlies).

Iceland had the lowest possession of any side during the first round of group games (27.8% v Portugal).

Hungary come into this game having lost only twice in their last 13 matches (including friendlies, W6 D5).

Hannes Thor Halldorsson (Iceland) made eight saves in the match against Portugal, the most of any player in a European Championship match since Joe Hart v Italy in 2012.

Merson's prediction

Iceland showed a lot of character to come back against Portugal. Hungary also put in an excellent display against Austria. I can see this one being a draw.

Hungary can go out in this game and settle for a point because of their excellent win against Austria. I think it's the same for Iceland.

Both teams could well settle for the draw because if Portugal do the business then Austria are practically out.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 9/2)

Betting

Iceland are slight favourites at 6/4 with Sky Bet to Hungary's price of 2/1, while the draw is priced at 21/10. Both nations are odds-on to make the knockout stages after impressive opening-round performances, although Portugal remain favourites to win Group F at 11/10. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (5/1) and Tamas Priskin (11/2) head a wide open first goalscorer market, but it is Gylfi Sigurdsson (13/2) that Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson are all backing in their Sky Bet tips.