Finland vs Republic of Ireland Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

This is a tough game to call on paper since both sides are coming into this fixture in less-than-impressive form. Ireland have lost their previous three, with Finland winless in their last four. Neither side has been that great defensively, with neither side keeping a clean sheet in their previous five.

Both teams have scored in five of the last seven involving Finland - with the hosts having a slight advantage in the two previous wins over Ireland in recent meetings. Less than 2.5 goals have been scored in six of their last eight meetings. Both teams have similar form, with both sides winning only once in their previous five.

That being said, we can’t look past a draw for this fixture. Both teams are out of form, so what tends to be the case is both teams potentially cancelling each other out. There will be goals for either side, with neither keeping a clean sheet in five. We are going with a 1-1 draw.

Finland 1-1 Republic of Ireland.

The next rounds of the UEFA Nations League take place as the groups are starting to take shape. Finland hosts a Republic of Ireland side, with both still chasing a win in this Nations League campaign.

Date: 10/10/2024
Location: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Kick-Off: 7.45 pm

Finland and the Republic of Ireland will be hoping to pick up points as the two worst sides in this group lock horns on Thursday. The hosts, Finland, currently occupy the relegation spot in this group - with the visitors a palace above them based on goal difference. Finland’s squad boasts some recognisable names, with former EFL representatives Glen Kamara (Leeds United), Teemu Pukki (Norwich City), and most notably Lukas Hradecky of Bayer Leverkusen.

The hosts began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a largely disappointing trip to Greece in which the visitors statistically were in the game, but poor defending cost them. Finland recorded six shots, three of which were saved by Vlachodimos in the Greece net. A brace from Fotis Ioannidis, accompanied by an own goal from Benjamin Kallman, was enough for Greece to win. Finland’s second game was an uphill struggle as they travelled to face England at Wembley. A brace from Harry Kane was enough for the Three Lions; arguably, it could have been more. Finland did pose a threat on the counter, although decision-making let them down in the final third.

Republic of Ireland began their UEFA Nations League campaign by hosting bitter rivals England at the Aviva Stadium. To the disappointment of the Irish crowd, former representatives Jack Grealish and Declan Rice provided the goals for the Three Lions in a 2-0 victory. Heimir Hallgrimsson’s fortunes as the national team manager did not improve in their second game against Greece. Another 2-0 defeat was on the cards as goals from Fotis Ioannidis and Christos Tzolis secured Greece the victory at the Aviva Stadium.

The two previous meetings in this competition have fallen the way of the hosts in consecutive 1-0 victories.

The game will not be shown on UK TV but may be available on Premier Sports.

Predicted Finland Eleven: Hradecky, Stahl, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Uronen, Peltola, Schuller, Kamara, Jensen, Pukki, Keskinen.

Predicted Republic of Ireland Eleven: Kelleher, Omobamidele, Collins, O’Shea, Brady, Ogbene, Browne, Molumby, Knight, Szmodics, Ferguson.

The history between the two teams favours the visitors as the Republic of Ireland has won three of the seven meetings, drawing twice and losing twice to Finland. The hosts have won the two previous meetings against the Republic Of Ireland, both falling in the Nations League. The last time the Republic of Ireland managed to beat Finland was in 2002.

Finland heads into this game on less than impressive form overall, with no wins in their previous four fixtures. Their most recent win over Estonia means their overall record is one win in five when previously they recorded consecutive victories over Northern Ireland and San Marino. The hosts are without a clean sheet in their previous seven and conceded first in five of their last six.

At home, Finland are pretty resilient, as the hosts have won four of their previous six home games at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. In that run, Finland recorded victories over the likes of Estonia, San Marino, Slovenia and Northern Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland’s form doesn’t bode well either for their chances, as the visitors are on a run of three consecutive defeats and two under new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson. Republic of Ireland are also chasing their first clean sheet in five and have conceded first in four of their previous five competitive fixtures.

The Green Army has not fared away from home as well as Finland on home soil. The away side has only won once in their previous five games away from home, with their most recent away win being a 4-0 win over Gibraltar. Republic of Ireland have conceded at least two in four of their last five away games.

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