Finland Vs Russia
Finland Vs Russia Wednesday 16 June, 2021 – 14:00
UEFA European Championship, Group B
Pick: Russia WIN
Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: BetFred
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 14th June 2021)
Preview: After going to Copenhagen and beating Denmark on their own patch, can Finland repeat the trick in Saint Petersburg, where Russia will be seeking positive encouragement from a partisan crowd inside Krestovsky Arena.
UEFA Euro 2020 Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Finland – Can they build on historic win in Denmark?
As efficient performances go, the one Finland produced in Copenhagen to win their opening match in Group B may take some beating at this tournament. In a game overshadowed by the very serious incident involving Denmark’s midfield talisman Christian Eriksen, it was Joel Pahjanpalo’s stooping close range header which settled a contest dominated by the Danes but ultimately won by the Finns.
With Belgium to come in their final encounter, Markku Kanerva will be only too aware of the importance of taking something against Russia, who were blown away by the world’s best ranked team first time out. The Finns will have to improve on their opening showing, though, in which they scored from their only attempt of the game and were a clear second best based on chances created (DEN 1.89xG – 0.3xG FIN).
Finland mustered one shot last time, becoming the first team since 1980 to win a match at the European Championships while having just one attempt on goal. That was also a first win of 2021, having previously been on a six-game winless run that included defeats to each of Estonia, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. Meanwhile Croatia, in 1996, were the last team to win their first two games at the finals.
Russia – Home support to play its part in recovery?
Taking on the current highest ranked side in international football in their opening match of these finals always looked an enormous task, even for a side boasting home advantage, and so it proved. A chastening 3-0 loss to Belgium in Saint Petersburg came as a shock to just about nobody – apart from me that is, who, at the very least, expected them to cause Thibaut Courtois in the Belgian goal more problems.
Russia have now gone their past six matches at European Championships without winning, losing the last three on the spin. They’ve never lost four in a row before, and won’t expect to on Wednesday either. This is because The National Team are enjoying a four-game winning streak versus Finland, scoring three or more in each, albeit the most recent of those – 3-0 in Finland in 2009 – took place twelve years earlier.
The venue can also play a part. Despite losing here four days ago, Russia generally fare well on home soil, losing only twice – both times at the hands of Belgium – in twelve home outings since hosting the 2018 World Cup, which they hosted. Meanwhile their form coming into this tournament, while admittedly not outstanding, was significantly better than that of Finland, with three wins from five (D1 L1).
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Finland Vs Russia Betting Advice
Should Finland make it successive wins at these finals, a spot in the knockout rounds will, in all likelihood, be assured whilst also putting Russia on the brink of an early exit. Not that bookmakers envisage this happening, with the tournament debutants a big price to produce another upset. Although, with a mere 16 places between them in the FIFA rankings, perhaps it wouldn’t constitute all that much of a shock.
Finland Vs Russia – Key Facts:
- All four prior encounters between Finland and Russia ended in a victory for the latter, with Russia scoring at least three goals each time. The last of those was in 2009, however.
- Finland hadn’t won a match since the turn of the year coming into these finals but ended a six-match winless spell with a 1-0 victory over Denmark in their tournament opener.
- Russia produced some encouraging form ahead of the tournament, winning three of five games in 2021, but saw this momentum checked by a 3-0 loss to Belgium on Matchday 1.
The odds-on about Russia winning this may not scream value but still looks a worthwhile bet. Finland were incredibly fortunate to escape Copenhagen with the win last time and a similar display, albeit against a lesser quality opponent, is unlikely to yield the same outcome. Russia also boast a overwhelming record in this fixture (W4, scoring 15 and conceding 1), as well as a strong tendency to perform in front of a home support.
Best Betting Odds – Finland Vs Russia
Finland – 5/1 (BetFair)
Draw – 13/5 (PaddyPower)
Russia – 4/6 (BetFred)
