Finland vs. Wales

March 21, 2024

Wales take on Finland in a crucial Euro 2024 play-off at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night.

The winner of this tie will host either Poland or Estonia in the final play-off only a few days later.

Both sides played out a goalless draw in a friendly game back in September 2021, with Wales' Harry Wilson missing a penalty.

Wales also claimed a double over Finland in the UEFA Nations League in 2020, while The Eagle-owls will be looking for their first victory over the Dragons since the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Finland earned two wins over Wales in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Wales Betting Preview (-115 at MyBookie)

The Dragons are bidding to reach another major tournament under Rob Page's guidance. They have already played at the last two Euros (remarkably reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2016) and also qualified for their first World Cup since 1958.

Wales failed to qualify for Euro 2024 directly as they finished third in Group D of the qualifying, collecting 12 points (3-3-2 record) from 8 games. However, they still remained four points behind Croatia and have reached the play-offs due to their UEFA Nations League performance.

Kieffer Moore scored in either of Wales' Nations League wins over Finland in 2020 and will hope to lead the line on Thursday evening. Moore left Bournemouth to join Championship side Ipswich Town and so far so good, the Welsh forward boasts six goals and one assist in his first 10 appearances for the club.

Harry Wilson scored three goals for Wales earlier in Euro 2024 qualifying, including a brace for their precious 2-1 home win over Croatia last October.

Leeds United pair Daniel James and Ethan Ampadu are both in contention to make their 50^th international appearances, while skipper Aaron Ramsey was a surprise inclusion in the squad, having made just three Championship appearances off the bench for Cardiff City since mid-September.

Having battled multiple injury issues over the past months, the veteran midfielder managed 18 minutes off the bench for his club in their derby loss to Swansea last weekend. However, Ramsey's international experience could be priceless both on and off the pitch, especially after Gareth Bale's retirement from professional football after the World Cup.

Rob Page has already been dealt a defensive blow heading into Thursday's crucial playoff, as Ben Cabango and Joe Low have both withdrawn injured, while Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer is still recovering after his distressing, second on-field cardiac arrest.

Furthermore, Wes Burns has been ruled out of Wales' European Championship qualification play-off because of a hamstring injury sustained during Ipswich Town's 6-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

As a result, 30-year-old Morgan Fox has been called up to bolster the Wales backline options in search of his first international appearance.

Finland Betting Preview (+375 at MyBookie)

First-time participants at the delayed 2021 European Championship - their first major tournament, The Eagle-owls finished third in Group H of the Euro 2024 qualifying, four points behind Denmark and Slovenia.

Markku Kanerva's side have won six of their 10 qualifying matches (losing the other four), scoring 18 goals in the process. They have reached the play-offs thanks to their UEFA Nations League ranking, though.

With four goals in six games, Daniel Håkans was Finland's top goalscorer in the Euro 2024 qualifying but that's mostly because of the hat-trick he bagged in the 6-0 win over minnows San Marino.

Centre-forward Teemu Pukki had scored just two goals in the qualifiers. However, the ex-Norwich City talisman should earn his 119^th cap for Finland as he currently enjoys a prolific start to the new season with Minnesota United in the MLS.

Leeds United's midfielder Glen Kamara is another standout performer in the Finland national team, while captain Lukas Hradecky - on course to become a Bundesliga winner with Bayer Leverkusen - takes his place between the sticks.

Finland have also been hit by two concerns ahead of the playoffs, as Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor has withdrawn, while striker Marcus Forss is nursing a leg injury and is a doubt.

Possible Starting Lineups of Wales and Finland

Wales: Danny Ward - Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies - Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James, Neco Williams - Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson - Kieffer Moore. (3-4-2-1)

Finland: Lukas Hradecky - Pyry Soiri, Arttu Hoskonen, Richard Jensen, Jere Uronen - Glen Kamara, Rasmus Schüller, Fredrik Jensen - Robin Lod, Teemu Pukki, Joel Pohjanpalo. (4-3-3)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Home advantage is crucial for Rob Page's side, who have once again proven they are an incredibly difficult team to beat in Cardiff. The Dragons produced a brilliant performance to beat Croatia in October and then (next month) picked up a point against Turkey, who topped their Euro 2024 qualifying group.

They don’t have a big name like Gareth Bale nowadays, but Rob Page's men have shown they are well-drilled as a defensive unit and have a lot of attacking power in players like Harry Wilson, Daniel James, Brennan Johnson and Kieffer Moore.

All in all, Wales have only been beaten in one of their last 15 European Championship qualifying home games (winning 10 of them!) - although it came as recently as June 2023, a 4-2 defeat to Armenia - and have only failed to score twice during that sequence.

Spooky Express Free Play: Wales -115 at MyBookie for 7/10 Units

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