Finland vs Russia, UEFA Euro 2020, Today Match Prediction

Finland vs Russia Match Prediction & Analysis

Finland secured a bittersweet victory over Denmark on their opening day of the tournament, claiming a precious three points against a dejected Danish side who saw Christian Eriksen stretched from the field having suffered a life-threatening cardiac arrest.

When the game restarted some time later, the Danish players were unsurprisingly dejected, allowing Finland to press ahead and claim victory.

Three points means that Finland are now in with a good shout of progressing from Group B, but will want to avoid defeat here.

On the other hand, Russia are left bottom of the group after going down 3-0 to world number one side Belgium. 

They will, however, see this as a perfect opportunity to hit back straight away and put three points on the board themselves. The Russians have a strong record over Finland and will be keen to strengthen that further here.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Finland Preview

World Ranking: 54

Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Debut

Predicted Finish This Year: Round of 16

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Three unexpected points leaves them quietly confident of qualification

     Look like a compact unit

Reasons to be fearful:

     Tragic events will have taken their toll on Finland’s players

     Poor record against Russia

You cannot underestimate just how drained those Finland players will be having had to witness Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch.

They manage to score in the second half and claim the three points, but manager Markku Kanerva could well make several changes in order to give those players a break.

There will, of course, be some confidence in the Finnish camp right now too. They were expected to be the whipping boys of the group, being new to the Euros and one of the lowest-ranked teams here.

As it stands, they have more points than Russia and Denmark and are in with a shout of progressing from the group.

Star Man – Joel Pohjanpalo

Scored a vital headed goal for Finland in order to give them three precious points. In doing so, he scored Finland’s first goal at the Euros. Can he add to his tally here?

Russia Preview

World Ranking: 38

Best Historical Finish at the Euros: Champions, 1960

Predicted Finish This Year: Round of 16

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Won’t be too disappointed about Belgium defeat

     Won four out of four games against Finland

Reasons to be fearful:

     Another defeat could see their progression chances disappear

     Winless in last six Euros games stretching back to 2012

With Belgium always expected to top their group, Russia’s defeat to the world number ones won’t really come as a surprise to anyone, and therefore they won’t be too disappointed.

Sitting bottom of the group is never fun, but three points here will set them back onto the right path.

Their positive record against Finland will give them confidence, winning all four of their previous meetings, although none of which have come at major tournaments.

They will want to set right their poor recent record in the Euros, having not won a game in six attempts, stretching all the way back to their victory over the Czech Republic at Euro 2012. 

Veteran defender Zhirkov will miss the rest of the tournament having gone off with injury against Belgium.

Star Man – Artem Dzyuba 

Was kept quiet against Belgian, but the big forward will expect better service here.