FINLAND v ITALY 
Sunday 8thSeptember 1945hrs
Football – International – Euro 2020 qualifier
Pick Italy win
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 1.76 (odds taken 04:07 GMT, 08 September )
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.35 | 3.50 | 1.74 |
(Betting Odds were taken from MoPlay on September 08, 2019 at 04:07)
The Euro 2020 qualifiers continue on Sunday and our next preview features a clash from Group J with Finland taking on Italy as the betting tips continue at the Helsingin olympiastadion in Helsinki.
Finland Prediction – Can Finland topple Italy?
2nd placed Finland have certainly made an encouraging and impressive start to their Euro 2020 campaign as the hosts sit just 3 points behind Group J leaders, Italy, but they have a chance to draw level on points in this top-of-the-table clash.
Finland were handed a 2-0 defeat away at Italy in their opening match of the group but the Fins have since re-grouped and bounced back in style as they’ve recorded 4 wins on the trot to take them second in the table and provide the hosts with a valuable 5-point cushion ahead of 3rd placed Bosnia-Herzegovina.
However, despite recording wins against Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Liechtenstein and Greece and making the most of the lesser opponents in the group, Finland face a tough test again when Italy come to visit.
The hosts have managed just 3 wins out of their last 9 Euro qualifiers at home and they possess a wretched record against Italy in previous encounters as Italy have won 10 of the previous 11 meetings between the two sides – the other match was a draw.
Italy Prediction – Can Italy extend lead at top of group J?
Onto Italy then, and it finally looks like the sleeping giant of European football appears to be waking up after a frustrating period which culminated in Italy failing to qualify for the last World Cup in Russia.
Under Roberto Mancini, the Azzurri, appear to be clicking into gear now as his side have won all 5 of their group matches to date and this impressive 100% winning record has placed them top of Group J with 15 points under their belts so far.
Whilst recording wins against Finland, Liechtenstein, Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia, even more impressive is the amount of goals that Italy have scored – 16 in total to date, and this renewed goal threat has certainly paid dividends for the visitors as they look to close in on a qualification spot for Euro 2020.
Italy have won their last 9 Euro qualifiers on the trot and indeed, the bigger picture shows us that the visitors are now unbeaten in their last 35 Euro qualifiers overall, with their last defeat being a 3-1 loss away to France back in 2006.
Key-Facts – Finland v Italy
- Finland have won just 3 of their last 9 Euro qualifiers at home
- Italy have won their last 9 Euro qualifiers on the trot and unbeaten in 35 matches
- Italy have won 10 of the previous 11 meetings against Finland in all competitions
Betting Tips Verdict
Finland have made hay while the sun has shone by beating the lesser lights in Group J but will face another stern test against the Italians here.
