Prediction: Wales vs Finland

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Desperate to take a giant step towards this summer’s European Championships, Wales will welcome Finland to Cardiff on Thursday night.

Wales

Starting with the hosts, while Wales might have opened their EURO 24 qualifying adventure in the midst of a public struggle, Rob Page’s side still have their sights set on punching a ticket to Germany. Just about dragging themselves to a bronze medal finish in Group D, the Dragons know that they have to go about things the hard way. However, unbeaten in all of their previous six appearances across all competitions, Wales should take plenty of positives away from their end to 2023. With their recent turn in fortunes underlined by a 2-1 victory against World Cup bronze medalists Croatia, Page’s side are enjoying their longest unbeaten run over the past 24 months. Although Thursday’s hosts might still be seeking some welcomed defensive resolve, the Dragons should be confident of extending on their qualifying adventure here.

Team News

Notching six Championship goals since completing a January loan switch from Bournemouth, Ipswich striker Kieffer Moore will spearhead Wales’ charge on Thursday night. Impressing many since arriving at Premier League giants Tottenham last summer, ex-Nottingham Forest attacker Brennan Johnson will join Moore in the final third.

Watching Swansea gender Ben Cabango withdraw from their squad last week, Morgan Fox could earn a first senior cap here. Influential skipper Aaron Ramsey has made a return to Page’s squad and will lead out Wales in Cardiff.

Finland

As for the visitors, also dragging themselves over the finish line and grabbing a third-place finish in Group H, Finland find themselves in an almost identical position to Thursday’s opponents. Bouncing back from their October wobble and winning six of their previous nine qualifying appearances, Markku Kanerva’s men will be desperate to make a major statement in Cardiff. Although Finland might find themselves pencilled in as an underdog contender on Thursday night, they should take some solace from their recent success on foreign soil. Including a gritty 1-0 victory away against Northern Ireland last year, Kanerva’s side have won three of their previous four showdowns outside of Helsinki. Grabbing a 0-0 stalemate when they last met Wales back in September 2021, the Eagles Owls will be looking for a similar rugged performance in midweek.

Team News

Opening the new MLS campaign with two goals in his first three appearances, Minnesota striker Teemu Pukki will spearhead Finland’s charge on Thursday night and earn a 119th cap in Cardiff. Now playing hit domestic football alongside the likes of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, Robert Taylor will join Pukki in the final third.

Playing a vital role in Leeds’ bid to book an immediate Premier League return this season, former Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara will feature here. Aberdeen star Richard Jensen will once again be partnered with Pyry Soiri at the heart of Finland’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Wales and Finland last met back in September 2021 for a friendly showdown, Thursday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
• Wales are unbeaten in all of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Finland have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last six showdowns across all formats.
• However, the Eagles Owls have won there of their last four appearances outside of Helsinki.
• Three of the last four meetings between Thursday’s opponents have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Going about things the hard way in their bid to punch a EURO 24 ticket, Wales will know that they have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. With Thursday’s opponents playing out a 0-0 stalemate when they last met back in September 2021, we could be set for a nervy affair in midweek. It should be highlighted, with three of the previous four meetings between Wales and Finland finishing with under 2.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome from Cardiff here.

Verdict: Under 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster