UEFA Nations League A
Game Preview: Finland vs England
The Finns are expected to go head to head with the Three Lions in a decisive UEFA Nations League match at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on October 13, 2021. Each team is coming to the match after a defeat in prior games. Finland are also in the B2 group in their bid to post their first victory they have only managed a string of three consecutive possessions. England are still the favourites for the match after having been shocked by the Greeks 2-1 but Capelloâs men will be hungry for victory and to increase the gap on their group.
Key Stats & Insights
- Finland: Unbeaten in their last five games, they have been giving up two or more goals in each of the games.
- England: Six victories in the last 10 games away from home, and 1.8 goals per game in those matches.
- Head-to-head: England has won six out of the eight matches with two matches being draw out of them and had won with a score of 2-0 in the last match in September 2024.
Team Form and Performance
Finland
Finland have been lackluster both in attack and in defense. Collectively they have registered a paltry 3 victories in the last ten competitive encounters and are giving away 1.8 goals per encounter. There is still a light at the end of the tunnel, specifically Joel Pohjanpalo, who scored in the teams last performance.
England
England somehow are in better shape having lost in their last one and ten matches only twice. But failure to qualify for the Euro 2012 showed weakness especially in the striking department especially when Kane was not available. Editor Pick Jude Bellingham is on a good run, while Ollie Watkins, who should start the match, was great at Club Level.
Head-to-Head Records
England have never been beaten by Finland in their past meetings and their last match was during the Nationâs league, where they won 2-0 in September 2024. The Finnish team have been unable to deal with the fire power of the English side and they came out of that match with no goal, and only two attempts on goal.
Player form and availability
- Finland: The Finnish biggest hope of scoring goals is Joel Pohjanpalo while the other big hope comes in the form of the HSK Teemu Pukki. Defensively, much depends on Lukas Hradecky, he needs to prolong a good performance in goal.
- England: Ollie Watkins will be favorite to lead the line for England with Jude Bellingham and Phil foden controlling play in the middle of the park. Jordan Pickford will want to sustain his clean sheet run.
Predicted Lineups
- Finland (4-3-3): Hradecky; Ivanov, Hoskonen, Galvez, Staahl; Kamara, Schuller, Lod; Pohjanpalo, Antman, Pukki.
- England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Colwill, Lewis; Rice, Bellingham; Palmer, Foden, Gordon; Watkins.
Market Analysis (Odds)
- England to win: 1.33 (-370) increasing the probability of their victory to 75%.
- Finland to win: 10.00 (+950), which is only slightly worse than an implied 9.1% chance of the underdog coming through.
- Over 2.5 goals: Favored at 1.73, meaning that most people bolding for the match hoped that the team would score at least two goals.
Predictions
- Correct Score Prediction: 2-1 in favour of England.
- Betting Tips: Best bet is back England to win at odds of 1.33, and possibly over 2.5 goals at 1.73.
- Value Bet: Taking Englandâs recent form and defensive frailties into nodding, Finland to score at least once might have decent odds.