Finland vs Russia Preview & Tips - Russia can turn the tables on Finland

Finland vs Russia predictions for Wednesday’s Euro 2020 match
The Group B clash is being played at 2pm BST at Saint-Petersburg Stadium
Russia have won their last 4 matches against Finland
Preview, predictions, stats, squads & team news

Russia have won their last 4 matches against Finland (Getty Images)

Ralph Staniforth

Share with your friends

Finland vs Russia Preview & Tips

This should be a very interesting encounter after Finland upset the odds against Denmark in their opener. Russia do however have a quality outfit and should have too much for the Fins. I'm tipping under 2.5 goals and a Russia win.

Finland have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches (all competitions).
Finland have lost 3 of their last 4 matches (all competitions).
Finland have failed to score in 2 of their last 3 matches (all competitions).
Russia have won by 2+ goals in their last 4 matches against Finland (all competitions).
Russia have won by 3+ goals in 3 of their last 4 matches against Finland (all competitions).
Russia have seen under 2.5 goals in 2 of their last 3 matches (all competitions).

Head to Head

Russia have a 4-0 advantage against Finland, winning all four by 2+ goals.

They last met in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Russia winning 3-0 in both legs.

Finland Form

Finland failed to win their opening five matches in 2021.

Markku Kanerva’s side drew both World Cup qualifiers in March, 2-2 against Bosnia-Herzegovina and 1-1 in Ukraine.

The Eagle-owls lost all three friendlies in the build up to Euro 2020. They lost 3-2 against Switzerland, 2-0 against Sweden and 1-0 against Estonia.

Finland’s European Championship campaign got off to a winning start against Denmark with the match overshadowed by Christian Eriksen’s health scare.

Joel Pohjanpalo scored with Finland’s only shot as they won 1-0 in Copenhagen. Lukáš Hrádecký saved a penalty in the second half as they finished with 30% possession.

Finland Squad & Team News

Goalkeepers: Lukáš Hrádecký (vice-captain), Jesse Joronen, Anssi Jaakkola

Defenders: Paulus Arajuuri, Daniel O'Shaughnessy, Joona Toivio, Leo Väisänen, Niko Hämäläinen, Thomas Lam, Nikolai Alho, Jere Uronen, Jukka Raitala, Robert Ivanov

Midfielders: Glen Kamara, Robert Taylor, Robin Lod, Fredrik Jensen, Rasmus Schüller, Pyry Soiri, Tim Sparv (captain), Joni Kauko, Onni Valakari

Forwards: Teemu Pukki, Joel Pohjanpalo, Lassi Lappalainen, Marcus Forss

Finland’s midfield is led by Rangers’ Glen Kamara.

Teemu Pukki and Joel Pohjanpalo should continue their partnership up front.

Don't expect may changes for Finland.

Russia Form

Russia started the World Cup qualifiers with a 3-1 win in Malta and 2-1 win against Slovenia. They lost 2-1 in Slovakia in their third game.

Stanislav Cherchesov’s side played two recent friendlies, a 1-1 draw against Poland followed by a 1-0 win against Bulgaria.

Russia have home advantage in the Euro 2020 group stage. It didn’t help them in their opening Group B match against Belgium, outclassed in a 3-0 defeat where they managed one shot on target.

Russia Squad & Team News

Goalkeepers: Anton Shunin, Yury Dyupin, Matvei Safonov

Defenders: Mário Fernandes, Igor Diveyev, Vyacheslav Karavayev, Andrei Semyonov, Fyodor Kudryashov, Georgi Dzhikiya, Yuri Zhirkov

Midfielders: Denis Cheryshev, Magomed Ozdoyev, Dmitri Barinov, Roman Zobnin, Aleksei Miranchuk, Aleksandr Golovin, Rifat Zhemaletdinov, Aleksei Ionov, Daniil Fomin, Daler Kuzyayev, Denis Makarov, Maksim Mukhin

Forwards: Aleksandr Sobolev, Anton Zabolotny, Artem Dzyuba (captain)

Andrei Mostovoy tested positive for COVID-19 and been replaced by Roman Yevgenyev.

Winger Daler Kuzyaev picked up an injury against Belgium and is likely to be replaced by Denis Cheryshev.

Yuri Zhirkov made way for Vyacheslav Karavaev in the 43rd minute and the Zenit Saint Petersburg full-back could start.

Atalanta attacking midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk will hope to get a start here.

Artem Dzyuba leads the way up front with the Zenit Saint Petersburg striker scoring 29 goals in 53 internationals.