Finland vs France
In my fair few years of reporting, I’ve only had the pleasure of covering a Finland match once.
That was earlier this year in fact.
However, it wasn’t a World Cup 2022 qualifying encounter, nor one of their Euro 2020 matches this summer (when they saw off Denmark before going down to narrow losses to Russia and Belgium).
Instead, it was a pre-tournament friendly in Sweden when the Finns showed promise in a 2-0 defeat.
The tournament which followed presumably have boosted their confidence as they head into this final qualifier knowing a draw should earn them a play-off place and a shot at a first-ever appearance in a World Cup Finals.
Talking Points
They managed more World Cup qualifying highlights on Saturday too when Marcus Forss, Robin Lod and Daniel O’Shaughnessy were on target in a 3-1 win in Bosnia – this, despite the first-half dismissal of Jukka Raitala which means he will be suspended for the visit of the world champions on Tuesday night.
There is no doubt their inspiration comes from Norwich City frontman Teemu Pukki who last week scored twice to break Jari Litmanen’s international goals record for the country in their victory over Kazakhstan.
Litmanen scored in the last of his 137 games for Finland in 2010, while Pukki has earned 98 caps for his country.
What price another goal against the French who will be without the injured Raphael Varane in defence and Paul Pogba in midfield and crucially, have already qualified for the tournament which may mean they relax a little.
It’s only a month since Kylian Mbappe fired a contentious winner as Les Bleus came from behind to beat Spain and become the second team to win the Nations League.
Mbappe was adjudged to be onside when he slid the ball under Unai Simon after Karim Benzema’s stunning equaliser at Milan’s San Siro.
That result made some amends for their surprise Euro 2020 last-16 exit to Switzerland, a game which showed the best and worst of the inconsistencies under Didier Deschamps.
Will they really be that fired up, though, on Tuesday evening to complete their qualifying campaign unbeaten?
Perhaps not, which could provide Finland with a chance to claim the point they need.
On saying that, if selected, Mbappe will prove one hard man to stop – his latest intervention saw him net a four-goal haul on Saturday night’s 8-0 romp against minnows Kazakhstan.
It was not only his first hat-trick for France but he notched four of the eight goals, with the striker’s first three coming in the opening 30 minutes.
Mbappe’s hat-trick was the first by a France player in a competitive international since Dominique Rocheteau in 1985.
History
Finland have played France 10 times and lost on nine occasions.
They will fondly remember their solitary success though – a 2-0 win when Forss and Onni Valakari were the marksmen in Paris in a friendly last autumn.
Since then, the nations have met in Lyon when a double from Antoine Griezmann sealed a win by the same scoreline in qualification for next year in Qatar.
The last time they met on Finnish soil in a World Cup qualifier was in September 2012 when another Finnish player who plied his trade in Britain, Mixu Paatelainen, was their manager.
It was a close affair too as a goal from Abou Diaby earned the French a 1-0 win in Helsinki.
The very first meeting between the two nations was also in Helsinki in a World Cup qualifier in 1960. Then Maryan Wisnieski and Joseph Ujlaki scored the goals which won the match from France after they had initially fallen behind to a Kai Pahlman penalty.
Betting Tip
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Finland vs France | 1X2 Draw @ 3.30 |
| November 17, 03:45 (GMT+8) |
The SBOTOP World Cup qualifying betting odds are as one-sided as you would expect.
France are priced -0.75 @ 1.90 with Asian Handicap odds and 1X2 @ 1.67, while Finland are available to back +0.75 @ 2.00 and 1X2 @ 4.60.
The 1X2 draw is on offer @ 3.55.
Another 2-0 French win will pay out @ 7.00 and Over 2.25 goals is on offer, but only @ 1.86, while Total Goal 4-6 @ 3.85 is more attractive.
Finland will have a real incentive and be cheered on by passionate support but, despite their qualification secured, I do still think France will lead from start to finish.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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