Prediction: England vs Finland

Verdict: England win to nil

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Nations League victories on Tuesday night, England will welcome Finland to Wembley.

England

Starting with the hosts, getting a new era underway over the weekend as Lee Carsley took charge for the first time, England opened their Nations League adventure with an eye-catching performance. Claiming a routine 2-0 victory away at Ireland and making their first appearance since their EURO 24 heartbreak over the summer, the Three Lions should be excited by a return to Wembley here. Playing a more attacking style over in Dublin on Saturday evening and appearing to be enjoying life under the one-time Everton midfielder, England are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender here. Although the Whites might have struggled to find any real stability on either side of their European Championship campaign, Carsley’s squad look like they are breezing their way to an immediate Group A return without breaking much of a sweat.

Team News

In what promises to be an emotional night for Harry Kane at Wembley, the Bayern Munich superstar will lead England out and earn his 100th international cap. Returning to north London in midweek, Carsley could be tempted to make a handful of changes here.

All settling for a spot on the bench over in Dublin on Saturday evening, the likes of Conor Gallagher and John Stones could be handed a full recall. While the duo of Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes might have made their respective international debuts, they should settle start among Carsley’s substitutes.

Finland

As for the visitors, while Finland might have shocked many last year as they enjoyed an eye-catching EURO 24 qualifying campaign, the Eagle Owls have largely come crashing back down to earth. Opening their Nations League adventure with a nightmare performance over the weekend as they fell to a 3-0 drumming away at Greece, Markku Kanerva’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here. Watching their qualifying adventure come to a thumping end during March’s international break as they suffered a 4-1 loss at the hands of Wales, Tuesday’s guests have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Gaining an unwanted reputation for their defensive struggles, Finland have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last 10 consecutive showdowns.

Team News

In what was a real blow prior to their trip to Greece on Saturday, Sparta Prague midfielder Kaan Kairinen was forced to withdraw from Finland’s squad. Likewise, limping off with a first-half muscle injury over the weekend, former Minnesota star Rasmus Schuller is not expected to feature at Wembley.

Completing a summer move to Rennes after leaving Championship outfit Leeds, Glen Kamara will start at the heart of Finland’s midfield. Returning from a recent knock and included in Kanerva’s squad, Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper Lukas Hradecky will earn a 93rd international cap here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When England and Finland last met back in 2001, the Three Lions collected a 2-1 victory on home soil.
• Recording a 2-0 victory away at Ireland over the weekend, that was the first clean sheet that they have recorded from their previous five appearances across all competitions.
• Finland have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous five appearances across all formats.
• Tuesday’s guests have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 matchups across all competitions.
• England skipper Harry Kane will earn a 100th international cap on Tuesday night.

Conclusion

Marking their return to competitive action over the weekend with a dominant display as they secured a 2-0 victory away at Ireland, England will simply be looking for a repeat performance here. Appearing to be enjoying life under Carsley and embracing a more attacking identity, the Three Lions are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender in midweek. Cruising their way to an immediate Group A return, it is hard to see anything other than another routine home victory in north London.

Verdict: England win to nil

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster