Prediction: Republic of Ireland to win 1-0
Best Odds: 389/100
The Republic of Ireland and Finland will lock horns with each other in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B this week. The Group 2 match between Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side and Markku Kanerva’s team will be held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 pm UK time on Thursday.
Republic of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland are having a torrid time in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B. Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side are third in Group 2 at the moment with three points from four matches. They are already nine points behind leaders Greece and three points ahead of Finland, who are at the foot of the table.
The Boys in Green will not get promoted automatically, and it is hard to see them end up runners-up given that they are six points behind second-placed England. The Republic of Ireland are in the qualification spot for the relegation playoffs.
One of the Republic of Ireland players who will be determined to put up a good show will be Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and assistant manager John O’Shea has been raving about him.
O’Shea said: “It’s just a boost to the confidence to know that you have a player playing in the Premier League that are comfortably top of the table.
“It was an important thing for me in my career, when you look back and you have a keeper you have a lot of confidence in, so I’m sure the players and the squad have a lot of confidence in all our keepers but especially one that is playing and is at the top of the Premier League.”
Team News:
The Republic of Ireland are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation. Kelleher will be in goal and will have O’Shea, Collins, Scales and Manning in front of him in defence. Cullen, Knight, Johnston, and Szmodics will be deployed in midfield. Parrott and Ferguson will lead the line for the home team.
Finland
Like the Republic of Ireland, Finland are also in dire form in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B. Markku Kanerva’s side are at the foot of Group 2 at the moment with no point from four matches.
As things stand, Finland are in the automatic relegation spot to League C. They can still end up third in the table and move onto the qualification spot for the relegation playoffs.
Finland kicked off their 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Greece away from home. It was following by a 2-0 loss to England at Wembley Stadium in London and then came a 2-1 defeat to the Republic of Ireland. Finland went down 3-1 to England in their last UEFA Nations League.
Team News:
Finland are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against the Republic of Ireland. Hradecky will be in goal for the visiting team. Alho, Hoskonen, Ivanov and Uronen will be in defence. Schuller, Pelota and Kamara are likely to be the three players in midfield. Antman, Pohjanpalo and Lod will be the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- The Republic of Ireland have lost 4 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Finland have lost their last 4 UEFA Nations League matches.
- Finland have lost 5 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
- The Republic of Ireland have lost 3 of their last 4 UEFA Nations League games.
- The Republic of Ireland have won 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
Conclusion
The Republic of Ireland and Finland are not having the best of times in the UEFA Nations League, and it is unlikely that the match between these two sides will be hugely entertaining. Playing at home will give The Boys in Green an advantage, and it is likely that Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will end up eking out a narrow win at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Prediction: Republic of Ireland to win 1-0
Best Odds: 389/100
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