Ireland vs Finland Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Nations League | League B Group 1
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Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland enjoyed their first win in his reign as they came from behind to defeat Finland by two goals to one during the October international break.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 14th November, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms
IRELAND PREVIEW: MUCH-NEEDED BOOST
Former Iceland and Jamaica boss Heimir Hallgrimsson took charge of the Irish national team ahead of this UEFA Nations League campaign and they did start with a couple of hammerings against both England and Finland in the September international break.
The Irish were then 1-0 down to Finland at half-time in Helsinki in October before second-half goals from Liam Scales and Robbie Brady. They did then again suffer a comfortable 2-0 defeat to Greece in Piraeus a few days later.
FINLAND PREVIEW: FINNISH DECLINE
After qualifying for UEFA EURO 2020, Finland have underwhelmed significantly ever since despite qualifying for the playoffs for UEFA EURO 2024. Markku Kanerva is now under a bit of pressure in charge of the nicknamed ‘Eagles-Owls’.
The Finnish started their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-0 defeat in Piraeus against Greece before a 2-0 loss at Wembley Stadium in England. Their 2-1 defeat at home to Ireland was then followed by a 3-1 defeat to England.
IRELAND TEAM NEWS: KEEPER DISCUSSION
Caoimhin Kelleher played well against Greece before two mistakes sealed a defeat, whilst Mark Travers has starred for Bournemouth recently but Kelleher is expected to keep his spot.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Kelleher; O’Shea, Collins, Scales, Brady; Ogbene, Cullen, Knight, Szmodics; Ferguson, Parrott
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
FINLAND TEAM NEWS: A COUPLE OF ISSUES
Both Topi Kesikinen and Fredrik Jensen, of Aberdeen and Augsburg respectively, withdrew last month and neither, despite reportedly being fit, have been called up this month.
PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Hradecky; Alho, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Peltola, Uronen; Lod, Kamara, Schuller, Antman; Kallman
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
IRELAND VS FINLAND PREDICTION
Ireland will want to make it two wins from three here at the Aviva Stadium and there is meaning to the game, too, as the two sides battle to avoid relegation down to League C of the UEFA Nations League. Ireland can confirm survival with a victory and condemn Finland to the third-tier of European international football. Whatever happens in terms of a result, it is highly likely to be a low-scoring affair in the Irish capital.
IRELAND VS FINLAND TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
