Wales vs Finland tips and predictions: Red-hot Moore to fire Dragons to victory
- George Dempsey
- 19 March 2024
Wales have their sights set on Euro 2024 qualification as they prepare to play host to Finland on Thursday night in Cardiff (1945 GMT).
Wales and Finland will meet in Cardiff on Thursday night with a place in the Euro 2024 path A final up for grabs, where they’ll meet either Poland or Estonia.
A draw determined that the winner of Thursday’s game will have the advantage of hosting the final.
Rob Page’s side are heavy favourites to advance past their Scandinavian visitors who have struggled to test good opposition on their travels.
They squeezed past San Marino to finish their qualifying campaign having thumped Northern Ireland a week earlier, but this is a big step up.
Wales have suffered their setbacks at home this campaign, most notably losing 4-2 to Armenia, but the Welsh spirit often sees them through.
Croatia, Ukraine and Austria have all been vanquished at the Cardiff City Stadium in recent campaigns.
The Dragons registered back-to-back wins when the sides met in the Nations League recently and that was without doubt a better version of Finland.
An ageing Teemu Pukki is still the focal point of their attack and he’ll be tasked with finding a way past Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu and co.
The Leeds United pairing are worth a special mention as although they won’t start at the heart of Wales’ defence, they’ve yet to concede an open play goal for the Whites in 2024.
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Key stats
- Wales are unbeaten in 13 of 14 home qualifiers
- Wales won both meetings in the 2021 Nations League
- Kieffer Moore has scored six in 10 for Ipswich
- Finland haven’t beaten a side ranked above them since June 2021
- Teemu Pukki has scored 12 in 18 for Minnesota United
Team news
Joe Low and Ben Cabango have withdrawn from the Wales squad which gives Rob Page a selection headache. Tom Lockyer is also absent having featured in their previous internationals.
Rodon may be partnered by Chris Mepham and Ben Davies with Neco Williams and Conor Roberts as wing-backs.
Kieffer Moore has been in fantastic form for Ipswich and will lead the line.
Robert Taylor played a starring role alongside Lionel Messi for Inter Miami last year but is unavailable due to injury, while striker Marcus Forss is also out.
