Here at SportsCasting, we have the Ireland vs Finland preview, prediction, latest team news and predicted lineups ahead of Thursday’s penultimate UEFA Nations League clash.
Ireland Vs Finland Preview
Ireland
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland have struggled so far in their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign. Their only victory came in the reverse fixture in Helsinki last month.
The Boys in Green have been on the receiving end of three defeats. Including the opening day 2-0 loss to England which saw Jack Grealish and Declan Rice score at the Aviva Stadium.
Group leaders Greece won both fixtures by the same scoreline which sees Hallgrimsson’s side sit third in the group. A solid three points above Thursday’s opponents.
Just a point on home soil will see the Irish avoid automatic relegation to League C. However, it appears likely they will enter into the playoffs next year in the hope of keeping their League B status.
This will be just the 9th overall meeting with Finland and their fourth consecutive in the Nations League. Ireland have won once and lost the remaining two.
Good vibes 😄🫶 pic.twitter.com/uVYuG3RdcO
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 12, 2024
Finland
Markku Kanerva has fond memories of the Aviva Stadium. The Finland boss was in charge when his side claimed a 1-0 win back in September 2020. Fredik Jensen netting the winner after 64 minutes.
Kanerva will be out for revenge though as the Eagle-owls suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ireland in Helsinki last month. Joel Pohjanpalo opened the scoring before Liam Scales and Robbie Brady hit back for the visitors.
The 2024/25 campaign is the third that the Fins have contested in League B. However, the Scandinavians are in serious jeopardy of suffering relegation.
Nothing less than a win will do for Kanerva’s side if they are to stand any chance of keeping their status. The omen doesn’t look good as the Fins have won just one of their eight games in 2024.
Having lost the opening four games in League B, a fifth will mean Finland equal their worst run of defeats in exactly 30 years.
Ireland Vs Finland Team News
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has had to navigate a number of injuries in the build up to Thursday’s clash. Captain Seamus Coleman, Shane Duffy and Adam Idah all withdrew on Tuesday.
The Premier League trio of Ryan Manning, Matt Doherty and Jake O’Brien have all been called-up as replacements. Staying on the topic of trios, Mikey Johnston, Sammie Szmodics and Troy Parrot will start in attacking roles.
Brighton forward Evan Ferguson is set to lead the line. Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will take the gloves and earn his 19th cap in the process.
For Finland, former Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki is pushing to start at the Aviva Stadium. He is the Eagle-owls all-time record scorer with 42 goals.
Former Rangers star Glen Kamara is set to start alongside Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, who is closing in on a century of caps.
Prior to the match, the best football betting sites in the UK price Ireland as the 8/11 match favourites. The draw is available at 11/4 with Finland 5/1.
Ireland Vs Finland Predicted Lineups
Ireland (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; O’Shea, Collins, Scales, Manning; Cullen, Knight; Johnston, Szmodics, Parrott; Ferguson
Finland (4-3-3): Hradecky; Alho, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Uronen; Schuller, Pelota, Kamara; Antman, Pohjanpalo, Pukki
Ireland Vs Finland Prediction
The battle to avoid relegation intensifies on Thursday and we are predicting Ireland to claim a vital three points in front of their own fans.
Finland have really struggled this campaign and with morale so low, it’s hard to envisage the Eagle-owls securing a positive result in Dublin.
Prediction: Ireland 2-0 Finland
