Finland vs Ireland: A Crucial UEFA Nations League Matchup
In a highly anticipated match, Finland and the Republic of Ireland will face off at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in a crucial UEFA Nations League Group B2 encounter. Both teams are desperate for their first win this season to avoid relegation from Nations League B.
Finland, under the guidance of new manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, is one defeat away from becoming the first Republic of Ireland manager to lose his first three matches in charge. The Finns have struggled recently, losing their opening two matches to Greece and England. Their last five away games have seen them concede at least two goals each, making their home turf a welcome respite.
The Republic of Ireland, also under Hallgrimsson, has its own set of challenges. The team has lost key players like Matt Doherty, Alan Browne, Callum Robinson, and Jake O'Brien from their previous squad. Additionally, Will Smallbone and captain Seamus Coleman are out injured, with Festy Ebosele likely to replace Coleman at right-back.
Finland Team News
Finland has recently shifted its formation from a 4-4-2 to a more flexible arrangement with an emphasis on attacking fullbacks. Adam Stahl and Manchester City youngster Tomas Galvez have been deployed in these positions. Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky will captain the side, while all-time top scorer Teemu Pukki, now playing in the MLS with Minnesota United, is expected to feature prominently.
Fredrik Jensen, who scored both goals in Finland's 1-0 victories against Ireland in 2020, could play a crucial role tonight. The predicted lineup for Finland includes Hradecky; Stahl, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Galvez; Peltola, Schuller; Jensen, Kamara, Antman; Pukki.
Republic of Ireland Team News
The Republic of Ireland has several options up front with Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson, Troy Parrott, and Sammie Szmodics all vying for a starting spot. Mikey Johnston, Jamie McGrath, and Finn Azaz have been recalled to the squad. Stoke City striker Tom Cannon is on standby. The predicted lineup for Ireland includes Kelleher; Ebosele, Collins, O'Shea, Brady; Molumby, Cullen, Knight; Ogbene, Idah, Szmodics.
Head-to-head, Finland and Ireland have met seven times. The Finns failed to win any of the first five meetings but achieved back-to-back 1-0 wins in the 2020 Nations League. This historical context adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match.
Given both teams' recent form and injuries, this match promises to be an intense and closely contested affair. Finland's home advantage and recent tactical changes could give them an edge, while Ireland's depth in attack and potential for a comeback under Hallgrimsson's guidance make them a formidable opponent.
Fans can watch the match live on various platforms including Fubo (sign up for a free 7-day trial), Fox Soccer Plus, and ViX (with Sling TV) in the United States. For those abroad, using a virtual private network (VPN) like NordVPN can help access streaming services.
The match will kick off at 7:45 pm BST on Thursday, October 10, at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland.
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Sources: Finland Vs Ireland Predicted Lineups And Team News For Tonight, Finland vs Ireland prediction, odds & betting tips 10/10/2024, Finland-Republic of Ireland | UEFA Nations League 2025, How to watch today's Finland vs Ireland Nations League game