Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Following a routine 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland, England will look to overtake Greece in top position in Group 2 when they face Finland on Tuesday evening. The Three Lions proved their worth in their opener despite Jude Bellingham’s absence and they are seen as hot favourites to win their second group game as well. The likes of Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, and John Stones are pushing for a start as Lee Carsley is likely to shuffle his pack against Finland.
The Finns, on the other hand, experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-0 loss to Greece. As David faces Goliath at Wembley Stadium, anything but a routine home win would be a big surprise. In their last meeting in a competitive match England defeated Finland 2-1, which goes in favour of our earlier prediction. Teemu Pukki is pushing for a recall to Finland’s starting XI, while fellow striker Marcus Forss remains in the recovery room.
Highlighted Player (Harry Kane):
Widely regarded as one of England’s best strikers at the moment, Harry Kane enjoyed a meteoric rise at Tottenham Hotspur, scoring 21 Premier League goals during the 2014/2015 campaign to be voted PFA Young Player of the Year.
The highly rated striker went on to surpass that achievement the following season as he helped Tottenham Hotspur mount a serious title challenge for the first time in club’s recent history and he made seamless transition to international football. Kane scored four goals in his first ten appearances for England to prove he was here to stay and at the same time established himself as a first choice striker in Roy Hodgson’s squad ahead of the Euro 2016 finals.
Kane is a modern striker, who is extremely dangerous in the opposition box, but it was some outstanding goals from distance as well as link-up play with teammates that earned him an excellent reputation in world football. Kane is expected to lead both Tottenham and England in years to come, that is if he can resist the lure of top European clubs that continue to cast admiring glances his way.
Highlighted Team (Finland):
Finland national football team played their first international game before the World War 1. The Finns were beaten by fellow Nordic side Sweden (2-5) on October 22, 1911, but eleven years later they recorded their biggest ever win on the international stage.
Finland outclassed Estonia 10-2 in Helsinki and, speaking of their heaviest defeat, the team suffered a 13-0 loss to Germany in Leipzig during the World War II (1940). Finland national team became a member of FIFA back in 1908, but they have yet to qualify for the finals of the major tournament. The Finns did not participate in the European Championship finals as well, but several top-class footballers were part of their national football team in the past.
Former Liverpool ace Jari Litmanen scored 32 goals in 137 appearances for Finland and Sami Hyypia is yet another notable footballer who played for the Eagle-owls. The colour of Finland’s home kits is white, while they play their away games in blue shirts and blue shorts.