Finland vs Netherlands Preview

Finland faces a tough test in Friday’s World Cup qualifier as they take on the Netherlands, a nation ranked 63 places above them in the fifa rankings.

The Scandinavian team come into the game in shaky form, while the Netherlands arrive in Helsinki off the back of one of the most entertaining Nations League ties in the tournaments history, after the exited the competitions on penalties after drawing 5-5 on aggregate with European champions Spain.

As the game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Finland have managed just one win in all competitions since March of 2024 - of their last 10 games, they have lost seven and drawn two.
• However, they come into the game on a two game unbeaten streak, beating Malta and drawing Lithuania in their most recent outings.
• While the Netherlands have won just one of their last seven (D5, L1), they have been prolific in front of goal, scoring 14 goals in that time.
• However, they have conceded 10 in that time, leading to fewer wins than coach Ronald Koeman would like.

Finland Preview

Finland Predicted Lineup (5-4-1): Lukas Hradecky (GK); Jere Uronen, Matti Peltola, Robert Ivanov, Arttu Hoskonen, Nikolai Alho; Topi Keskinen, Rasmus Schuller, Glen Kamara, Fredrik Jensen; Joel Pohjanpalo.

Placed in a group with Poland, Lithuania and Malta, Finland will certainly think they beat at least two of the other teams in both legs. However, it is clear that the Netherlands and Poland are favourites to qualify.

It doesn’t help their cause that they will be low on confidence from their torrid Nations League campaign. Playing in the second tier in a group comprising Greece, England and Ireland, Finland failed to bag a single point, and scored just twice across six games, demoting them to the third tier.

So going off their form over the last year, it appears that Finland have very little hope here, both in this fixture and more broadly in their group. A third place finish would be the ideal scenario, but they will have to battle tooth and nail to get that done.

Netherlands Preview

Netherlands Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Mark Flekken (GK); Nathan Ake, Jorrel Hato, Micky van de Ven, Jeremie Frimpong; Frenkie De Jong, Ryan Gravneberch; Cody Gakpo, Tijjani Reijnders, Donyell Malen; Memphis Depay.

Netherlands have been unlucky in recent games - they were hugely unfortunate to go out in the Nations League quarter-final after drawing 2-2 and 3-3 to Spain across both legs, a tie that neither side deserved to lose, and draws to Germany and Hungary can also be viewed as slightly unfair.

However, they have been the masters of their own downfall. They create endless opportunities per game, but the lack of a world class striker has come back to bite them. Although there are talented options, Memphis Depay and Donyell Malen amongst them, none can be considered elite hitmen.

Against Finland, they shouldn’t encounter any problems, but at some point on their World Cup qualification journey they will encounter a side that is significantly harder to break down, and it will be interesting to see how they adjust.

Finland vs Netherlands Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 06/09/2011: Finland 0-2 Netherlands.
• 07/09/2010: Netherlands 2-1 Finland.

Finland vs Netherlands Betting Tip

In spite of Netherlands' relatively winless recent form, they are still powerhouse nation, boasting a team stocked to the brim with talent. Finland will be extremely lucky to get a goal, and will need to resort to 95% defending, 5% attacking.

That is why our experts have decided that the best tip for the fixture is to back Under 2.5 Goals. With odds of 2.07 on Highbet, a £10 stake could return over £20 if the bet comes off.

Finland vs Netherlands Prediction

Finland 0-2 Netherlands

While it won't be the a heavy margin of victory, which the Netherland's might well be looking for, it is still a win, and a good way to kick start their charge for World Cup football next year.