Finland will face Russia on matchday two of Euro 2020 Group B at Krestovsky Stadium and will look to build on their bittersweet triumph over Denmark. Markku Kanerva’s team won 1-0 against their Scandinavian neighbors, while Russia’s opening game of the tournament ended in a 3-0 loss to Belgium. Here is our expert guess on Finland vs Russia prediction in Euro 2020 matchday 6.
Team news
Finland lineup: Hradecky; Vaisanen, Arajuuri, O’Shaughnessy, Toivio, Uronen; Kamara, Sparv, Lod; Pohjanpalo, Pukki
Teemu Pukki was cleared to play against Denmark on Saturday after entering the competition with fitness concerns.
Finland will have to check on the health of its players after the upsetting scenes against Denmark to see who is available to face Russia.
Joel Pohjanpalo will keep his starting spot up front as a result of his goal against Denmark.
Russia lineup: Shunin; Dzhikiya, Semenov, Barinov; Fernandes, Zobnin, Ozdoev, Karavaev; Miranchuk, Golovin; Dzyuba
Roman Yevgenyev replaced Andrey Mostovoy after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov will undoubtedly make changes for Wednesday’s match after a 3-0 loss to Belgium in Group B.
Denis Cheryshev came on to replace an injured Daler Kuzyaev against Belgium, only to be taken off himself in the second half.
At the weekend, Yuri Zhirkov, 37, started against Belgium but will almost certainly be dropped for this match.
Russia could even revert to a three-man defense after stunning Belgium with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Finland vs Russia Prediction
On Saturday match day, Russia was defeated 3-0 by Belgium in their first match while Finland beat Denmark 1-0. Russia has won both of the previous two matches between the two countries by 3-0 margins, the most recent of which occurred in 2009.
Finland could have never expected to experience what they did on the football field against Denmark. Finland players believe to play another grueling 90 minutes against tough opponents is a monumentally difficult task.
Depending on Kanerva’s team’s mental state, changes may be made, and though Russia may be forced to make changes as well, we can see their superior quality showing through in a hard-fought victory.
Our Prediction: Finland 1-2 Russia
