Republic of Ireland vs Finland predictions: Irish can end Finnish survival hopes
- Republic of Ireland have won three of their last five matches against Finland
- Finland have lost four Nations League fixtures in succession
- Recommended bet: Republic of Ireland to win
Nations League Group B2 has been a tough environment for the Republic of Ireland and Finland, who face each other in a key encounter at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Avoiding automatic relegation is the challenge for both teams and third-placed Ireland are in the much stronger position thanks to last month’s 2-1 triumph in Helsinki.
Finland are pointless after four matches and will be relegated with a game to spare if they fail to win on Irish soil.
Ireland have a mathematical chance of finishing second but their realistic aim is to nail down third place and ensure they move forward to the relegation play-offs.
Team news
Matt Doherty has been recalled as cover for Seamus Coleman (match fitness), who withdrew from the squad.
Shane Duffy and Adam Idah have been sent back to their clubs and Robbie Brady misses out with an ankle injury.
Key Finland midfielder Fredrik Jensen (groin surgery) is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Adam Stahl, Tomas Galvez, Leo Vaisanen, Leo Walta and Topi Keskinen were members of last month's Finland squad but have not made the cut this time.
Uncapped defender Juhani Pikkarainen hopes to make his international debut.
The stats
Three of Ireland’s four victories over Finland were achieved by a 3-0 scoreline.
Ireland have failed to score in four of their last five matches although the exception was last month’s 2-1 success away to Finland.
Six of Ireland’s last seven home games have generated less than three goals.
Finland have lost four of their last five away fixtures.
The Finns have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six matches.
Both teams have scored in seven of Finland's last nine games.
Prediction
Ireland were 2-1 winners against Finland in Helsinki last month and look solid favourites to follow that up with a victory in Dublin.
Heimir Hallgrimsson has presided over three losses in his first four games as Ireland’s head coach but there were signs of progress in the October camp.
Three days after the Finland triumph, Ireland were defeated 2-0 by sectional leaders Greece in Athens.
But they competed reasonably well on the night and were just a goal adrift when Petros Mantalos settled the issue with an injury-time strike.
Finland have been nowhere near as competitive and their nine-match sequence without a clean sheet stretches back to November 2023 when they triumphed 4-0 at home to Northern Ireland in a Euro 2024 qualifier.
The Finns are missing some key players for the conclusion of their Nations League campaign and appear likely to suffer a fifth-straight loss.
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