Wales vs Finland Preview
- Date: Mar 21, 2024
- Time: 7.45 pm (GMT)
- Venue: Cardiff City Stadium.
In an eagerly anticipated clash, Wales is set to lock horns with Finland in a pivotal Euro 2024 showdown, with both teams eyeing a crucial victory to boost their tournament aspirations.
Finland enters the encounter riding a wave of success, having clinched an impressive ten wins out of their last 13 Euro 2024 matches. Their recent form underscores their resurgence on the international stage, with notable performances showcasing their prowess. However, Wales finds themselves in a contrasting position, having secured just one victory in their last 13 matches, with a sobering 4-1 defeat in their previous meeting against Finland serving as a stark reminder of the challenges they face.
With a penchant for tight encounters, both teams have been involved in matches that rarely produce more than three goals, setting the stage for a potentially low-scoring affair. Wales, in particular, has seen a majority of their Euro 2024 fixtures witnessing under 3.5 goals, highlighting their defensive resilience. Similarly, Finland has exhibited a similar trend in their top-flight fixtures, further emphasizing the likelihood of a tightly contested battle.
Wales boasts a formidable home record in Euro qualifying, having lost just one of their last 14 matches and remaining unbeaten against Finland in their previous four encounters. Spearheaded by the prolific Kieffer Moore, who has been instrumental in their recent victories, Wales aims to capitalise on their home advantage and secure a crucial win.
The winner of this single-leg tie will advance to face either Poland or Estonia in a bid to secure a coveted spot at the summer tournament in Germany. For Wales, a victory would mark their third successive appearance at the European Championships, continuing their impressive run in major tournaments. Meanwhile, Finland, ranked 60th in the Fifa rankings, seeks only their second qualification following their debut at Euro 2020, showcasing their ambition to make a mark on the European stage.
As the stage is set for a captivating encounter, both Wales and Finland are primed to leave no stone unturned in their quest for victory, igniting the passion of fans and setting the scene for a memorable showdown.
Wales vs Finland Prediction
The highly anticipated clash between Wales and Finland is poised to deliver a thrilling encounter, with our prediction favoring a narrow 2-1 victory for Wales.
Recent statistics shed light on key factors influencing our prediction:
Both Teams to Score: In each of Wales’ last three European Championship qualification home matches, both teams found the back of the net. This trend suggests that goals could be on the cards for both sides in this matchup.
Wales’ Home Form: Wales has demonstrated resilience on home turf, securing victories in six of their last nine European Championship qualification home games. Impressively, four of these wins came by a narrow one-goal margin, indicating their ability to grind out results.
Early Scoring: Wales has consistently started strong in their European Championship qualification home matches, opening the scoring in eight of their last nine encounters. This trend highlights their propensity to seize early opportunities and dictate the tempo of the game.
With Wales boasting a formidable record at home and a knack for early goals, they are poised to secure a hard-fought victory against Finland. However, with both teams likely to find the back of the net, expect an enthralling contest as they battle for supremacy on the pitch.
Wales vs Finland Head-to-Head
Here’s the head-to-head encounter table between Wales and Finland:
01 Sep 2021 – Finland 0-0 Wales – International Friendly
18 Nov 2020 – Wales 3-1 Finland – UEFA Nations League
03 Sep 2020 – Finland 0-1 Wales – UEFA Nations League
16 Nov 2013 – Wales 1-1 Finland – International Friendly
10 Oct 2009 – Finland 2-1 Wales – FIFA World Cup qualifying
Wales holds a commendable record against Finland, currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten streak. After suffering two consecutive losses, Wales has managed to turn the tide with two draws and two wins in their recent encounters against Finland. This resilient run underscores Wales’ ability to navigate past their opponents and showcases their determination to maintain dominance in future matchups.
Wales vs Finland Predicted Lineups
Wales possible starting lineup:
Ward; Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Roberts, Ampadu, Levitt, Williams; Wilson, Johnson; Moore
Finland possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Soiri, Hoskonen, Jensen, Uronen; Kamara, Schuller, Jensen; Lod, Pukki, Pohjanpalo
Wales vs Finland Bettings Tips
Ahead of the Wales vs Finland matchup, here are some insightful betting tips to consider:
Harry Wilson Impact: Keep an eye on Harry Wilson, who has been in fine form, notably scoring in two of Wales’ last three European Championship qualification home games. With his knack for finding the net, Wilson could be a player to watch for potential goal-scoring opportunities.
Predicted Odds: The predicted odds for Wales to emerge victorious stand at approximately 53%. While favoring Wales, this suggests a fairly evenly balanced encounter, indicating potential value in exploring various betting options.
Over 2.5 Goals: No: Considering recent trends and statistics, betting on fewer than 2.5 goals in the match could be a prudent choice. With both teams typically involved in tightly contested affairs, a low-scoring encounter seems plausible.
Wales to Open the Scoring: Yes: Wales has displayed a tendency to start matches on the front foot, often opening the scoring in their European Championship qualification home games. Therefore, betting on Wales to score first could be a promising option, given their history of early goals.
Wales vs Finland Where To Watch
Viewing Options and Channels
To catch the highly anticipated clash between Wales and Finland on TV, viewers have several options:
S4C: Viewers can tune in to S4C, a Welsh-language television channel, to watch the match live.
BBC iPlayer: The match will also be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer, providing viewers with the flexibility to watch the game online.
S4C Online: In addition to the televised broadcast on S4C, viewers can access the match via S4C Online for online streaming.
Viaplay Sports 1: For viewers outside the UK, Viaplay Sports 1 will offer live coverage of the match, ensuring fans across regions can enjoy the action.
With these multiple viewing options, football enthusiasts can conveniently tune in to witness the excitement as Wales and Finland face off in this highly anticipated showdown.