Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2024 UEFA EURO qualifying match.
Finland
Finland are terrible. They lost three consecutive games versus Denmark (0:1), Slovenia (0:3) and Kazakhstan (1:2). The last defeat meant that Finland were stripped of chances to qualify for the EURO via the group stage. However, two key scorers Pukki and Pohjanpalo keep on playing well in their clubs. Pukki has 10+1. playing for Minnesota and Pohjanpalo has 4+3, playing for Venezia.
Northern Ireland
The side has almost the same level of their squad as Finland. But they play worse. They have only 6 points (while Finland already have 12), and attacking actions are their main problem. Only San Marino (1) have scored less than Northern Ireland (7). In this match, Ross McCausland, a rising star of Rangers FC, is about to debut.
Finland vs Northern Ireland prediction
Finland are considered favourites of the match, despite losing three times in a row and not having any motivation. Besides, their head coach Markku Kanerva has been sick with coronavirus. He’s been out of the training process and probably could infect some of the players.
Result means nothing to the teams in this game. So they will play in an open style. Finnish forwards can prove themselves.
