England's caretaker manager Lee Carsley needs a win against Finland on Sunday evening following their shock defeat at home to Greece in midweek.
England are still in a prime position to qualify from Group 2 of the Nations League B after picking up six points from a possible nine but can't afford any more cheap slip-ups.
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Finland vs England prediction: Goals in this one for both teams?
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in four of England's last six outings.
- Three of the last five meetings between these two nations have ended with both teams scoring.
- Ollie Watkins is likely to start in the absence of Harry Kane and the Aston Villa striker has scored four goals in seven league games this season.
Correct score prediction: Finland 1-2 England
England have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three wins against Finland and with the Scandinavians only failing to score in two of their last six matches, we're backing a 2-1 correct score prediction in favour of the visitors this weekend.
Pre-game odds and win probability: England the overwhelming favourite
- HOME: 10/1 (11.00) – 9.1%
- DRAW: 9/2 (5.50) – 18.2%
- AWAY: 1/3 (1.33) – 75%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
England are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 75% and we agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: England dominate
England have never lost against Finland before, picking up six wins and two draws from the pair's eight previous encounters. Lee Carsley's side claimed a 2-0 win at home against Finland last month in the Nations League.
UEFA Nations League B 10/09/24
England
Finland
Finland preview: Lost four of last five
Finland sit rock bottom of Group 2 in the Nations League B following defeats in each of their opening three matches.
The latest loss arrived in midweek at home to the Republic of Ireland where despite taking the lead early on through Joel Pohjanpalo, Finland conceded twice in the second half to lose the game.
Predicted lineup: Hradecky (GK), Ivanov, Stahl, Hoskonen, Galvez, Schuller, Lod, Kamara, Walta, Pohjanpalo & Keskinen
UEFA Nations League B 10/09/24
L
England
2
Finland
0
UEFA Nations League B 07/09/24
L
Greece
3
Finland
0
International Match 07/06/24
D
Scotland
2
Finland
2
International Match 04/06/24
L
Portugal
4
Finland
2
International Match 26/03/24
W
Estonia
1
Finland
2
England preview: Looking to bounce back
Lee Carsley's striker-less experiment at home to Greece in midweek blew up in his face as the visitors secured their first-ever win against England.
With no Harry Kane to call upon, Carsley opted not to start Ollie Watkins or Dominic Solanke in his place and it simply didn't work. Greece looked the better team and took the lead through Vangelis Pavlidis early in the second half, celebrating with a George Baldock shirt after the Greek defender passed away a day earlier.
Jude Bellingham looked to have spared Carsley's blushes with an equaliser three minutes from time but Pavlidis scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to make history for Greece.
Predicted lineup: Pickford (GK), Stones, Alexander-Arnold, Colwill, Lewis, Rice, Foden, Palmer, Bellingham, Gordon & Watkins
UEFA Nations League B 10/09/24
W
Finland
0
England
2
UEFA Nations League B 07/09/24
W
Rep of Ireland
0
England
2
Euro 2024 14/07/24
L
Spain
2
England
1
Euro 2024 10/07/24
W
Netherlands
1
England
2
Euro 2024 06/07/24
W
Switzerland
1 (3)
England
1 (5)
Player to watch: Ollie Watkins
We're expecting Lee Carsley to go with a recognised striker this weekend after suffering an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at home to Greece in midweek in which he opted to go with a false nine.
Watkins impressed in cameos at Euro 2024 and has scored four goals in his 12 appearances for England to date. The Aston Villa striker has started the new season in good form, netting four goals in his opening seven league games.
Will England go with a recognised centre-forward in Finland?
If Watkins gets his chance, we're confident that the Villa forward will get chances, and take them, against a weak Finland defence that hasn't covered itself in any glory in this season's Nations League B.
