Ireland vs Finland Prediction & Betting Tips - UEFA Nations League

Prediction published on 03/09/2020, 17:16  by James | Modified on 03/09/2020 at 18:16 in UEFA Nations League Predictions

The Republic of Ireland play host to Finland at the Aviva Stadium in the next round of Nations League games on Sunday evening. Ireland drew their opening match - their first under new boss Stephen Kenny - in Bulgaria, defender Shane Duffy heading them level at the death to make it 1-1. Finland fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Wales, Kieffer Moore getting the only goal of that game. Ireland will take encouragement from their result despite it being secured with a stoppage-time goal. Kenny started a set of young attackers and Ireland should have taken the lead in the first half. Ireland struggle away from home but look far more comfortable on their own soil, avoiding defeat in their last seven home matches. This being their final preparatory match before the crucial Euro 2020/21 play-off against Slovakia, Ireland will be looking for a confidence-boosting win to build momentum. Finland, a team that has lost six of their last ten away matches, may be the perfect opponent for Kenny to pick up his first win against.

The Republic of Ireland and Finland have played each other three times. Ireland picked up wins on the last two occasions (the most recent of which took place in 2002) while their first encounter ended level. Irish fans hope that Kenny is the manager to change their footballing identity and introduce a more attacking philosophy. However, it won't happen overnight and there's a fair chance that this game will feature fewer than three goals as seven of Ireland's last nine home games have. Either way, we anticipate an Ireland win.