Finland vs Republic of Ireland predictions: Expect goals in Helsinki

– Finland have scored seven goals in their last three home matches
– Republic of Ireland have netted in five of last eight away fixtures
– Recommended bet: Both teams to score

Finland and Republic of Ireland are both yet to pick up a point in the 2024-25 Nations League ahead of Thursday’s clash at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

Markku Kanerva’s side lost 3-0 in Greece in their Group B2 opener before going down 2-0 against England at Wembley, while the Irish lost 2-0 at home to both of those same opponents.

Finland’s all-time top goalscorer Teemu Pukki is expected to form part of an attacking trio that includes Fredrik Jensen and Topi Keskinen.

Ireland will be without Callum O’Dowda after he was forced to pull out of the squad due to injury, while Shane Duffy and Seamus Coleman were not selected due to their respective issues.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has overcome the illness that kept him out of Liverpool’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace at the weekend and is set to take the gloves.

Finland have won just one of their last six Nations League matches, a 2-0 triumph in Montenegro.

Despite failing to score in their last two away outings, the Eagle-owls have been better on home soil and have failed to score in just one of their last six assignments, amassing 15 goals during this period.

The Republic of Ireland have also been blanked in their last two games but they have been racking up the shots, registering 14 attempts.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side have scored in five of their last eight away contests, netting against Ukraine, Scotland, Malta, Greece and Gibraltar (four times).

Something has to give when two pointless sides, Finland and Republic of Ireland, meet in Helsinki and this could turn out to be an entertaining affair despite the recent scoring issues for both countries.

Greece and England have both proven to be a class above for these two nations, but Thursday’s contest has an even feel about it and that could bring with it a more attacking, open game.

While Finland have struggled on their travels, they are much better in their own backyard, winning four of their last six home matches and scoring in five of those.

Coming up against an Irish side that has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches, the Eagle-owls will feel confident of finding the back of the net again.

But the visitors should also feel bullish about their chances of scoring, something they managed to do twice in a 2-1 victory against Hungary back in June.

The likes of Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, Sammie Szmodics and Kasey McAteer provide plenty of attacking threat for the Irish, who look capable of getting on the scoresheet.

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