Wales vs Finland Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

We bring you our Wales vs Finland prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview courtesy of Scott Thornton as Robert Page’s side looks to advance to the next stage of qualifying for the European Championships.

Wales were underwhelming in their qualifying group. However, their form picked up towards the end and they looked as though they could salvage 2nd after beating Croatia. They now face the agony of the playoffs and Finland have aspirations of their own.

Prediction: Wales 2-1 Finland

And if you’ve not had your helping of Scott just yet – check out his Poland vs Estonia betting preview here.

1. Wales vs Finland Tip 1: Wales To Win
2. Wales vs Finland Tip 2: Over 2.00 Asian Goal Line
3. Wales vs Finland Tip 3: Wales Half-Time/Full-Time 

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Wales vs Finland Prediction 1: Wales Can Get the Job Done

European Championship Qualifiers, Thursday, March 21st, 19:45 (UK)

Wales came up short in their qualifying group after a slow start. They now face a difficult couple of matches as they aim to secure a place in this summer’s European Championships. Rob Page has faced plenty of criticism since Wales’ poor showing in Qatar, and the next week will have a huge bearing on the national team’s future.

The Cardiff City Ground has been a symbol of Wales’ resurgence in international football, and the roaring home crowd should be enough to get them over the line here so we are backing the home side to win. Page’s men are unbeaten in their last six matches. That run includes an impressive home win over Croatia.

Finland are no slouches but they did manage to concede against San Marino in their last match. They were on a run of three consecutive defeats before beating Northern Ireland in November. Finland are scoring 0.3 fewer goals per game than their opponents over the course of their last ten away matches. It promises to be a game of fine margins but Wales have the quality to edge it.

• Wales vs Finland Prediction 1: Wales To Win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 8/10

Wales vs Finland Prediction 2: Attacks in Focus

Life after Gareth Bale was never going to be easy. The former Real Madrid man is one of the most decorated British footballers of all time and has a claim to be its greatest-ever footballer. Bale often produced his best form on the international stage, particularly in his later years when he had fallen out of favour at Real Madrid.

Wales still have plenty of talent in their ranks and they have found their scoring touch in recent matches. Therefore, the next bet for Thursday night’s match is over 2.0 goals using bet365’s Asian market. This means that the bet will be refunded should the game finish with exactly two goals.

Both teams have scored in Page’s side’s last three matches. Their last 10 home matches have seen an average of 2.4 goals per game. Desperation will kick in during the latter stages of this match should one of these sides find themselves needing a goal to salvage their European Championship dreams so we could see an inflated number of goals.

Finland’s last ten matches have seen an average of 2.8 goals per game. There have been at least three goals scored in their previous four.

• Wales vs Finland Prediction 2: Over 2.00 Asian Goal Line
• Best Odds: 1.80
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Wales vs Finland Prediction 3: Page’s Solid Starters

The last of our picks for this one is for Wales to be leading the match at the interval and secure a place in the final against either Poland or Estonia without the need for extra time.

A slender lead at half-time would give Wales a massive boost with the home support willing their team on. Wales haven’t conceded a goal in the first 45 minutes in any of their last four matches at the Cardiff City Stadium. They have faced the likes of Croatia, Turkey and South Korea on that run. One goal before the break could be enough to give Page’s side the advantage going into half-time. Wales have been behind at the midway point in just one of their last ten home matches with their opponents scoring an average of 0.2 goals in those minutes.

Finland also have a poor scoring record in the early stages. They have scored just one first-half goal in their last six away matches. They failed to score an early goal in the narrow win over San Marino and Wales have a far better squad than European football’s international whipping boys.

• Wales vs Finland Prediction 3: Wales Half-Time/Full-Time 
• Best Odds: 3.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Wales vs Finland Prediction odds via bet365 as at 11:45, March 18th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Wales vs Finland Team News and Possible Lineups: Teaser

Tom Lockyer started for Wales in their last match but the Luton defender has since had his career put on hold after suffering a cardiac arrest against Bournemouth. Rob Page has a wealth of options available to him here, particularly in attack. The likes of Moore, Broadhead, Brooks, James and Johnson are all competing for a starting berth. Aaron Ramsey has also been included in the squad after an injury scare.

Teemu Pukki is the standout name for Finland. Premier League fans will remember him from his time at Norwich but he now plays for Minnesota in the MLS.

Wales possible starting lineup: Ward; Rodon, Mepham, Davies; Williams, Ampadu, James, Roberts; Wilson, Brooks, Johnson

Finland possible starting lineup: Sinisalo; Galvez, Jensen, Hoskonen, Soiri; Taylor, Lingman, Kamara; Hakans, Pukki, Lod

Match Stats: Goald-laden Finnish

• Wales’ European Qualifying matches saw an average of 2.5 goals.
• Armenia are the only side to beat Wales at home since the start of 2023.
• Finland have played 10 competitive matches since the start of 2023, winning six and losing four.
• Finland’s qualifying matches saw an average of 2.8 goals.

Wales Fixtures: Wales Set for Tough Nations League Tests

• Vs Turkey (H)
• Vs Montenegro (A)
• Vs Iceland (A)
• Vs Montenegro (H)
• Vs Turkey (A)

Finland Fixtures: Finland on the Road

• Vs Portugal (A)
• Vs Scotland (A)
• Vs Greece (A)
• Vs England (A)
• Vs Ireland (H)

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