Wales vs Finland Prediction & Match Preview

• Each of Wales’ last three games provided goals at both ends.
• We saw three or more goals in all of Finland’s previous four qualifiers.
• Joel Pohjanpalo bagged ten goals in his previous eight appearances for Venezia in Italian Serie B.

A real buzz is expected in and around Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday evening. It’s the playoffs time once again for Wales. They play host to Finland in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualification playoffs semi-finals.

The Dragons have produced some high-profile displays during the qualifying campaign last year. The likes of Turkey and Croatia eventually had too much for them in the battle for the top two positions in Group D. Nevertheless, the fact that this Welsh team lost only two of eight matches in such a fierce competition speaks volumes.

Finland also enjoyed a strong qualifying campaign last year. They finished four points shy of Denmark and Slovenia at the top two positions despite winning six of ten matches in Group H. Head coach Markku Kanerva can be thrilled with the attacking displays his men have shown in the final two qualifiers. Finland put six goals in back-to-back wins over Northern Ireland and San Marino in November last year.

Recent Meetings

These two teams last met each other in a friendly in September 2021. The game ended in a goalless draw.

Wales go into this on the back of two wins and a draw in the previous three clashes with Finland.

Just one of the previous four head-to-head encounters between these counterparts provided three or more goals.

Wales vs Finland Prediction

Wales are labelled as the favourites to get the win on the home soil but we struggle to find value in backing them at the 1.85 odds. Instead, there are way better betting options in the goals’ markets. Both Teams To Score is the pick we are particularly interested at the 2.20 price-tag. To an average football fan, this might seems like a potentially low-scoring game. The reality could easily be drastically different. Here is why. Welsh manager Rob Page has huge problems with goalkeepers. None of his four options have accrued even a single minute in club football this season. Danny Ward will most likely get the nod but he has just conceded four goals in his previous match for Leicester’s U-21 side. Moving forward, each of Wales’ last three matches saw goals scored at both ends. Since each of Finland’s last four qualifiers provided three or more goals, we have to shoot for the Both Teams To Score bet at the 2.20 odds.

The second bet will be Finland not to lose in the 90 minutes of play at the 1.95 odds. The visitors have several in-form players who could feast against the leaky Welsh defence. We namely refer to Joel Pohjanpaolo. The striker bagged ten goals in the previous eight Serie B appearances for Venezia. The run includes a brace in a 3-0 drubbing of Palermo on Friday evening away from home. Knowing about Welsh goalkeeper situation and Finland’s solid qualifying run, we can find the value in this bet.

Steffen Schmidt- March 19, 2024

Wales vs Finland Betting Tips

Both Teams Score

OK

	2.07 Odds
	2.00 Odds

Finland to win or draw

OK

	1.98 Odds
	1.91 Odds

Correct Score: Draw 2-2

OK

	17.00 Odds
	15.00 Odds