Ireland vs Finland Prediction - Nations League

This match holds significant importance for both teams. Ireland, currently third in their group with 3 points, aims to secure a vital win to remain competitive. Their opponent, Finland, is on the brink, having failed to collect any points, and needs to avoid a loss to keep their hopes of staying in League B alive.

Ireland is the bookmaker’s favorite, and our recommended bet is for Ireland to win, considering their previous victory against Finland in October. However, both teams have struggled defensively, and with key injuries impacting the line-ups, it could be a closely contested match. Expect a narrow home victory with few goals.

Ireland vs Finland Prediction & Betting Tip

For this UEFA Nations League B clash, our betting tip is for Ireland to win. This recommendation is based on several factors that favour the home team.

Ireland have shown a bit more resilience despite not having the best form. Their previous encounter saw them secure a win against Finland in October, giving them a slight psychological edge.

Additionally, Finland have struggled throughout the competition, failing to earn any points and conceding an average of 2.3 goals per match. On the other hand, Ireland’s home advantage at the Aviva Stadium could play a significant role in tipping the scales.

• Ireland’s prior victory against Finland gives them an upper hand.
• Finland have lost their last three away games.
• Ireland are bolstered by playing on home turf.

Expect a hard-fought match, but Ireland’s advantages suggest they should edge out a win.

Ireland vs Finland Odds

Ireland enters the match as the bookmaker’s favourite with odds of 1.73, reflecting their home advantage and recent win over Finland.
Finland, on the other hand, is seen as the underdog with odds of 5.11, given their poor performance in the competition so far.
A draw stands at 3.47, signalling a lower probability but an option for cautious bettors.

Ireland Team Analysis

Ireland’s recent form shows a rocky path with one win amidst four losses, indicating a struggle to maintain consistency.
The last five matches for Ireland were:

With an average goal-scoring rate of just 0.40 goals per game and no clean sheets in the last five matches, it’s clear that Ireland has struggled both offensively and defensively. However, their solitary win against Finland stands out as a key highlight in their recent performances.
Their home game at the Aviva Stadium might boost morale, helping them to capitalize on familiar turf and improve their standings.

Ireland Key Players

Ireland’s hopes in this match will heavily rely on their key players, despite recent struggles. Liam Scales, the top scorer with just one goal, will need to step up his game. Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott, both starting forwards, should shape up to make a significant impact. In midfield, Josh Cullen and Jason Knight will look to control the tempo and break down Finland’s defense. Caoimhin Kelleher in goal can be expected to form a strong last line of defense. Expected lineup for Ireland:

• Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher
• Defenders: Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins, Liam Scales, Callum O’Dowda
• Midfielders: Samuel Szmodics, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight
• Forwards: Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson, Troy Parrott Key individual battles will include Ireland’s forwards versus Finland’s central defenders Matti Peltola and Arttu Hoskonen.

Ireland Suspensions & Injuries

Ireland are currently dealing with a significant number of injuries, which could impact their performance against Finland. The team will miss several key players, including promising talents and seasoned veterans. No suspensions are reported for this match, however.

Injuries:

Suspensions: None

The absence of key players like Seamus Coleman and Gavin Bazunu could create vulnerabilities, particularly in defense and goalkeeping positions. This will require other squad members to step up and fill the gaps effectively.

Ireland Tactics and Formation

Ireland Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forwards: Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson, Troy Parrott
• Midfield Trio: Samuel Szmodics, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight
• Defensive Lineup: Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins, Liam Scales, Callum O’Dowda
• Goalkeeper: Caoimhin Kelleher

Heimir Hallgrímsson has opted for a flexible 4-3-3 formation, aiming to bolster both defensive solidity and attacking options. The front trio of Idah, Ferguson, and Parrott will be pivotal in pressing high and capitalizing on Finland’s defensive frailties.

The midfield trio is expected to provide a balance between attack and defense, with Cullen anchoring while Szmodics and Knight transition forward. The defense, though missing key players like Seamus Coleman and Gavin Bazunu, will rely on Collins’ and Scales’ partnership.

Expect Ireland to focus on structured build-ups and quick transitions to utilize their young forward line’s pace and creativity.

Finland Team Analysis

Finland has been struggling in the UEFA Nations League B, with a string of poor results. They have failed to secure a win in their last five matches, which has left them at the bottom of the group with zero points. Their recent form highlights their defensive frailties, as they have conceded an average of 2.3 goals per game.

Despite scoring in 75% of their matches, they have not managed to turn these efforts into victories. With no clean sheets in the last five games, Finland’s defense remains a significant concern for coach Markku Kanerva.

On average, Finland has managed to score 0.8 goals per game, which underscores their attacking inefficiency. They will need to tighten up defensively and find more consistent goal-scoring options to improve their standing in the competition.

Finland Key Players

Expected lineup for Finland:

• Goalkeeper: Lukas Hradecky
• Defenders: Matti Peltola, Arttu Hoskonen, Robert Ivanov
• Midfielders: Nikolai Alho, Anssi Suhonen, Glen Kamara, Topi Keskinen, Jere Uronen
• Forwards: Benjamin Källman, Joel Pohjanpalo

Finland’s key player is their top scorer, Joel Pohjanpalo, who will be looking to add to his tally. In midfield, Glen Kamara is crucial for keeping possession and dictating the tempo of the game.

In defence, Arttu Hoskonen and Robert Ivanov will need to be in top form to combat Ireland’s forwards, especially Evan Ferguson and Troy Parrott. This matchup between Finland’s defenders and Ireland’s attackers could be a decisive battle in determining the game’s outcome.

Finland Suspensions & Injuries

Finland come into this match with a few injury concerns that could impact their performance on the pitch. Notably, key players like Fredrik Jensen and Rasmus Schüller are sidelined, weakening their midfield options. Here is a detailed look at Finland’s injury and suspension situation: Injuries:

Finland Tactics and Formation

• Formation: 4-3-3
• Key Forward: Joel Pohjanpalo
• Midfield Trio: Glen Kamara, Anssi Suhonen, Topi Keskinen
• Defensive Setup: A solid backline led by Robert Ivanov

Finland’s coach Markku Kanerva is expected to utilise a 4-3-3 formation. With key forward Joel Pohjanpalo leading the attack, Finland will rely heavily on him for goals. The midfield trio of Glen Kamara, Anssi Suhonen, and Topi Keskinen will be crucial in both attack and defence. Defensively, the backline, anchored by Robert Ivanov, will need to be vigilant to keep Ireland at bay. Despite recent struggles, Finland’s capability to score in 75% of their matches this season adds an unpredictable element to their tactical approach.

Ireland vs Finland Head-to-Head Statistics

Ireland and Finland have shared some memorable games over the years. Here’s a look at their last five encounters:

The last time these two sides met, Ireland secured a 2-1 victory in Finland. Their matches have featured diverse outcomes, but Ireland’s recent win in Finland gives them a slight psychological edge heading into this fixture.