'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAM7gJ8v/xAAgEAACAQIHAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQABgMFERITIWFx/9oACAEBAAE/ADYiGOVE2LuPfKuE4+imsZQx0zKKB7GY1//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwX/2gAIAQIBAT8AelY//8QAGREAAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQAEUqHR/9oACAEDAQE/AA8MRer/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Finland will entertain the Republic of Ireland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in the League B Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League on Thursday. Both teams suffered defeats in their two games last month and will look to register their first win of the campaign.
The hosts began their campaign with a 3-0 loss to Greece and their poor form continued in their second match against England, as they suffered a 2-0 loss. They will play for the first time at home this term and will look to open their goalscoring account here.
The visitors have suffered back-to-back 2-0 home losses in the Nations League thus far, extending their losing streak in all competitions to three. They will play their first away game of the campaign.
Finland vs Republic of Ireland Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths seven times in all competitions. They have contested these meetings closely, with the visitors leading 3-2 in wins and two games ending in draws.
- They last met in the group stage of the 2020-21 Nations League and the hosts registered 1-0 wins in the two meetings.
- Huuhkajat are winless in their last four games in all competitions and friendlies, suffering three losses. They have conceded 11 goals while scoring four times.
- Republic of Ireland are winless in away games in the Nations League, suffering five losses in eight games. They have failed to score in four games in that period.
- Finland have a strong home record in the competition, suffering just one loss in nine games. They have won six games in that period while keeping six clean sheets.
- The visitors have failed to score in five of their six games in all competitions and friendlies this year.
Finland vs Republic of Ireland Prediction
Huuhkajat have won just one of their six games in 2024, with that win being registered at home. They are unbeaten in their last five home games in the Nations League, recording three wins and as many clean sheets, and they will look to build on that record.
Juhani Pikkarainen has received his first call-up to the national team while Nikolai Alho is back after missing out in September due to an injury.
The Boys in Green have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions, suffering five defeats. They have lost four of their last five away games in the Nations League and might struggle here. They have lost their two Nations League meetings against the hosts while failing to score, which is a cause for concern.
Heimir Hallgrimsson has a few notable absentees for this international break as Seamus Coleman and Will Smallbone are sidelined with injuries while Matt Doherty, Alan Browne, and Callum Robinson have been left out.
While both teams have endured a poor start to their campaign, considering the home advantage for Huuhkajat and the visitors' winless away record in the Nations League, the hosts are expected to eke out a narrow win and the odds of a clean sheet also look good.
Prediction: Finland 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Finland vs Republic of Ireland Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Finland to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Yellow Cards - Over/Under 2.5 Yellow Cards - Under 2.5 yellow cards
Tip 4: Joel Pohjanpalo to score or assist any time - Yes
