UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers: Group H – Northern Ireland vs Finland

Northern Ireland host Finland at Windsor Park as both teams look to boost their UEFA Euro 2024 qualification ambitions.

Victory could see Northern Ireland go top of Group H if Denmark and Slovenia both fail to win elsewhere in earlier kick-offs.

Finland meanwhile could leapfrog their hosts in the table with a win.

 

Team News

Northern Ireland have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-0 win over San Marino in midweek.

Finland too have no fresh injury concerns to report following their defeat against Denmark in midweek, as Finnish strike – Marcus Forss looks to start against his Middlesbrough teammate – Paddy McNair who is set to feature for Northern Ireland.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Northern Ireland host Finland at Windsor Park, Belfast, on Sunday 26 March at 7:45pm BST, with the match broadcast live on Viaplay in UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Northern Ireland are unbeaten in three of four previous Euro qualifiers against Finland (W2, D1, L1).
• Finland have lost each of their two previous Euro qualifiers away to Northern Ireland (L2).
• Both teams have scored in three of four previous Euro qualifiers.
• Northern Ireland have failed to keep clean sheets in each of their last four home matches in all competitions (W1, D1, L2).
• Finland have won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions (W1, D3, L5).

 

Prediction

Sat second in the group following a clinical yet dominant win over San Marino, Northern Ireland now need to look at that performance as a base to build upon under the experience of Michael O’Neill because this fixture will be very telling of their potential moving forward through these qualifiers.

Finland though have been very inconsistent across the last two years but seem to have finally found some goalscoring form again in recent months – despite missing various key players in January’s friendly defeats to Sweden and Estonia, yet their defence is their biggest weakness as Denmark exposed.

O’Neill’s Norn Iron therefore really should look to target Finland’s vulnerable defence and are boosted by their strong form against Finland, which I don’t see ending if they can indeed get on the front foot against a leaky back line and clinically take their chances.

Prediction: Northern Ireland 2-1 Finland

Result: Northern Ireland 0-1 Finland