Adrian Humphries' selections for Thursday's Nations League clash in Helsinki include a win for the hosts with goals at both ends.
Two teams yet to get off the mark in the 2024/25 Nations League clash at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Thursday night, when Finland host the Republic of Ireland.
It has been a testing start to the competition for both countries, with the pair failing to score in defeats to Greece and England, and avoiding relegation from Group B2 now appears the main aim for these two.
Best bets
Finland to win @ 19/10
Both teams to score @ 11/10
Troy Parrott to score at any time @ 7/2
Finland to pile more misery on the Irish
Greece and England are a class apart from Finland and the Republic of Ireland but Thursday’s contest should be a competitive affair with both teams likely to fancy their chance of getting the win.
Finland’s two Nations League defeats have come on the road and a return to home soil could see them get back to winning ways, as they have won four of their last six fixtures in their own backyard.
Markku Kanerva’s side defeated Slovenia, San Marino, Northern Ireland and Estonia during that period and another success could be chalked up against an Ireland side who have lost four of their last five away assignments.
Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson is without the experienced defensive duo of Shane Duffy and Seamus Coleman and a fragile backline could be exposed once again in Helsinki.
Net to bulge at both ends
While Finland have had scoring issues on their travels, it has been a different story at home with 15 goals scored in their last six assignments.
The Eagle-owls have failed to find the back of the net in just one of those contests and it would be a surprise if they are unable to get on the scoresheet on Thursday.
Finland have not been solid at the back, however, and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven matches, a statistic that should give Ireland hope that they can also score.
The Boys in Green have netted in five of their last eight away fixtures and can play their part in an entertaining spectacle.
Parrott to provide some Irish cheer
While Ireland may end up on the wrong side of this result, they can still provide the travelling support with something to cheer about and Troy Parrott could be the player to do that.
Having failed to breakthrough at Tottenham, the 22-year-old made the permanent move to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the summer and he has hit the ground running, scoring five goals in eight Eredivisie appearances.
Parrott notched four in a 9-1 demolition of Heerenveen in September before scoring in back-to-back games against Elfsborg in the Europa League and Utrecht in the Dutch top flight..
The Dublin-born star was an unused substitute in the last international break, but after enjoying an impressive start to the campaign he could be given the chance to prove his worth on the international stage.
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