Wales meet Finland at Cardiff City Stadium in a Path A semi-final of UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Play-Offs.
The winner of this tie will host the winner of Poland’s semi-final against Estonia on Tuesday 26 March, whilst the losers will meet in a friendly.
Team News
DIWEDDARIAD CARFAN 🏴
Wes Burns has withdrawn from the squad due to injury. Brysia wella Wes 👍#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/JWPpcIaamY
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 19, 2024
Wales will be without Wes Burns after he suffered a hamstring injury during Ipswich’s Championship win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Ben Cabango (calf) and Joe Low (unspecified) have also withdrawn from the squad, with Morgan Fox called up following Cabango’s withdrawal.
Finland will be without forward, Robert Taylor after he withdrew due to injury and has instead remained with Inter Miami for rehabilitation.
Marcus Forss (hamstring) is a doubt for selection but is part of the squad.
When is Kick-Off?
Wales host Finland at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 21 March in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off, live on Viaplay Sports 1 in the UK although coverage will also be available on S4C and BBC iPlayer.
Stat Attack
- This is Wales’ first Qualifying Play-Off tie against Finland, but have avoided defeat in six previous UEFA Euro Qualifying meetings which all came in the Group Stage (W4, D2).
- Finland are winless in three previous away visits to Wales in UEFA Euro Qualifying matches (D1, L2).
- Wales have scored eight goals and conceded one goal against Finland in three previous home clashes in UEFA Euro Qualifying matches.
- Rob Page’s Wales are unbeaten in four of their last five home games in which they have scored (W3, D1, L1).
- Finland have won three of their last five away matches (W3, L2).
Prediction
With a strong home record against Finland, Wales enter this match as favourites such has been their home form and can have confidence in their in-form attack with players like Dan James, Kieffer Moore and Brennan Johnson currently in strong form up front.
Finland meanwhile have a strong lead man in ex Norwich striker, Teemu Pukki but know that they will need to be at their best to win this tie, especially given none of their recent away performances have been very convincing with their three wins by just one-goal margins.
Although those tight results seem to suit Finland such is the way that they play, I do feel like they could struggle with Wales’ in-form attack as the game wears on and that might just be the difference if Wales can score first.
Prediction: Wales 2-1 Finland
Result: Wales 4-1 Finland
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