Verdict: Each groups to attain – No
Finest Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns underway on Friday evening, Finland will journey to the Ta’Qali Stadium once they meet Malta.
Malta
Beginning with the hosts, whereas Malta might need endured a EURO 24 qualifying marketing campaign again in 2023 as they misplaced all of their eight Group C appearances, Emilio De Leo’s males had turned a latest nook. Signing off their Nations League marketing campaign by mustering seven factors from their ultimate three appearances, the Reds ought to discover the temper of their camp at a red-hot excessive. Together with a 2-0 pleasant victory towards Liechtenstein on November 14th, Malta are unbeaten in every of their final 4 showdowns throughout all competitions – their longest unbeaten run since again in 2020. Doubtlessly smelling the possibility to say a well-known scalp this weekend, Friday’s hosts may even be excited by their prolonged success on the again. In truth, De Leo’s aspect haven’t shipped a single purpose in simply over 400 minutes of motion.
Malta Workforce Information
James Carragher, son of former Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has acquired a maiden worldwide call-up and is anticipated to characteristic on Friday evening. Signing off 2024 with a Nations League crimson card towards Andorra on November nineteenth, one-time Botafogo teen Gabriel Mentz has been omitted from De Leo’s squad.
Making 17 Ligue 1 appearances for French outfit Reims this season, Teddy Teuma will begin in the course of the park and earn a forty second worldwide cap right here. Whereas Basil Tuma might need solely made 4 senior appearances for Studying this yr, the 19-year-old has been referred to as up.
Finland
As for the guests, formally appointing new boss Jason Friis again in January, it’s no secret that the previous Augsburg coach has a significant job on his arms. Enduring a public Nations League disaster final yr and coming underneath an enormous quantity of scrutiny, the Eagle-Owls are desperately looking for a necessary increase. In truth, signing off their League B nightmare with a 2-0 loss at residence towards Greece, Friday’s visitors misplaced all of their six Nations League showdowns by an mixture rating of 13-2. Together with failing to muster a single victory on international soil since November 2023, Finland have additionally continued to indicate some obtrusive points within the ultimate third. Together with drawing consecutive blanks on two separate events over the previous six months, Friis’ struggling squad have additionally failed to seek out the online in all of their final three appearances outdoors of Helsinki.
Finland Workforce Information
Returning residence again in January after becoming a member of HJK on a everlasting foundation, former Norwich striker Teemu Pukki has been included in Friis’ maiden squad and appears set to earn a 128th worldwide cap on Friday evening. Making 23 Bundesliga appearances for German giants Bayer Leverkusen this season, veteran goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky ought to return between the sticks.
Nevertheless, notching only a single strike for League One outfit Exeter this yr, Imari Niskanen has been not noted and won’t characteristic over the subsequent fortnight. Becoming a member of Saudi Arabian aspect Al-Shabab in the course of the January switch window, former Leeds star Glen Kamara will begin in the course of the park.
Malta vs Finland Key Components to Take into account
- When Malta and Finland final met again in March 2018, Friday’s visitors collected a routine 5-0 victory on residence soil.
- Finland have gained their 4 historic conferences towards Malta by an mixture rating of 11-2.
- The Eagle-Owls misplaced all of their six Nations League appearances final yr by an mixture rating of 13-2.
- Malta haven’t conceded a single purpose throughout any completion in simply over 400 minutes of motion.
- Finland have drawn a clean in all of their earlier three consecutive showdowns on international soil.
Conclusion
Whereas Finland may open their World Cup qualifying marketing campaign pencilled in as a standout contender, Friday’s visitors needs to be bracing themselves for what might be a tough check. Remarkably dropping all of their six Nations League showdowns final yr and coming underneath an enormous quantity of scrutiny, the Eagle-Owls have additionally failed to seek out the online of their earlier three consecutive appearances on international soil. Assembly a Malta squad which might be having fun with their longest unbeaten run since 2020, possibilities may come at a premium right here. It must also be famous, the Reds haven’t conceded a single purpose in simply over 400 minutes of motion.
Verdict: Each groups to attain – No
Finest Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet