Russia will try to put points on the board after a disappointing display against Belgium while Finland will be looking to build upon that fantastic start to Group B.
European Championship 2020
Date: 16/06/2021
Kickoff: 14:00
Venue: Saint Petersburg Stadium
Joel Pohjanpalo scored Finland’s lone goal against Denmark which secured their first-ever win in their first-ever game at a major international tournament.
The game itself would not be remembered for the best reasons following Christian Eriksen’s collapse, which clearly had an effect on everyone involved in the game. However, Finland remained solid at the back despite facing constant pressure for most of the game and ultimately deserved their win in the end, with that result has giving the Fins a real big chance of progressing through Group B and avoiding defeat to Russia might just book them a spot in the last 16.
Russia didn’t seem up for their game against a fairly weakened Belgium side – a team that started without De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel.
Russia looked that bad, so much so that the manager had to make two substitutions in the first half and even took off one of those substitutes in the second.
Russia need a result but they look like a mess right now and are in desperate need of a win if they’re to have any real chance of progressing into the round of 16. The records doesn’t look good: only three teams have lost their group opener and progressed in the last two tournaments.
Team news
Finland
Finland have a fully fit squad for the game.
Russia
Daler Kuzyaev could miss the game against Finland if he doesn’t recover in time from the injury he suffered against Belgium.
Team form
Finland’s last five games: DLLLW
Russia’s last five games: WLDWL
Match stats
Russia have not lost to Finland in more than a century, and have scored 15 goals in winning the last four games between the sides since becoming an independent nation in 1992.
Betting tips
Both teams have scored in three of Finland’s last six international matches, and they could easily have conceded a goal against Denmark, had it not been for some poor finishing on display.
Four of Russia’s last six matches have ended with both teams scoring and they showed some signs of their attacking prowess against Belgium. Russia need to win and Finland will want to build on their impressive display against Belgium. Expect a couple of goals here, so let’s go with both teams to score at 6/5.
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Odds subject to change – 18+|BeGambleAware.org – Please gamble responsibly
