Finland vs Wales Prediction & Betting Tips - UEFA Nations League

Prediction published on 31/08/2020, 04:33  by James | Modified on 31/08/2020 at 05:33 in UEFA Nations League Prediction

The UEFA Nations League returns this week with Finland hosting Wales in League B action. Finland are newly promoted to League B after topping their League C group - one which featured Hungary, Greece, and Estonia - last time around. Wales finished second in a three-team League B group in their previous Nations League adventure, sandwiched between Denmark and Ireland. These two countries have plenty of experience of playing each other with Finland hogging the bragging rights in recent years. They are unbeaten in their last four matches against Wales (the most recent of which was in 2013), winning twice. Wales have grown in stature since then, reaching the European Championship semi-finals in 2016, and they will be the favourites for the win. This is despite Ryan Giggs not having the most impressive record since taking over in 2018, losing seven of his 19 games in charge. Wales will still be able to call upon the services of stars like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. Finland have fewer standout stars with Teemu Pukki of Norwich being their leading light. The striker has an impressive 25 international goals in 80 appearances.

Wales are unbeaten in their last six matches, winning four. It's been a ship-steadying period after a run of four defeats in six games. The majority of matches in the Giggs era have been low-scoring with only two of the last 11 featuring more than two goals. Finland games tend to feature more goalmouth action, something we don't expect to change following their promotion, with their last five featuring at least three goals. Finland are strong at home, only losing two of their last 15 home matches. The calibre of opponent must be taken into account with many of those games being against the weaker European nations, such as North Macedonia or Malta. Wales have struggled away from home, failing to win seven of their last ten matches on the road. Despite this poor record, we think their star quality will prove the difference in this encounter. Back the visitors to get all three points.