Romania and Finland will clash at the National Arena in Romania on Saturday evening with the two experiencing completely contrasting starts to life in the Nations League this season with four points separating them after just two games.
Finland are sitting top of the group right now in the Nations League League B Group 3 setup, with them undefeated so far.
Robin Tihi 🆚🇦🇿Toppari teki 1⃣1⃣ pallonriistoa, syötti omille 9⃣4⃣% tarkkuudella ja voitti 7⃣8⃣% kaksinkamppailuistaan. Huippusuoritusta tarvitaan myös tänään, kun #Pikkuhuuhkajat pelaa EM-jatkokarsintapaikasta Norjaa vastaan. Yle Areena näyttää 18:00 alkavan matsin suorana. 💪 pic.twitter.com/pMOXlOq5uK— Huuhkajat (@Huuhkajat) June 10, 2022
Robin Tihi 🆚🇦🇿Toppari teki 1⃣1⃣ pallonriistoa, syötti omille 9⃣4⃣% tarkkuudella ja voitti 7⃣8⃣% kaksinkamppailuistaan. Huippusuoritusta tarvitaan myös tänään, kun #Pikkuhuuhkajat pelaa EM-jatkokarsintapaikasta Norjaa vastaan. Yle Areena näyttää 18:00 alkavan matsin suorana. 💪 pic.twitter.com/pMOXlOq5uK
It has been a commendable run from the Eagle-Owls, with them struggling in the March internationals with a draw against Iceland and a loss to Slovakia damaging their form even more.
There has also been a bit of a shakeup in the Finland squad this time around, as they now sit without Joona Toivio, Tim Sparv and Paulus Arajuuri who all retired recently with them bringing together a collective 200+ caps.
Augsburg's Fredrik Jensen is another notable absence for a weekend Finland side, which means much of the attention falls back on the shoulders of all-time top scorer, Teemu Pukki, with his 35 goals.
Pukki was once again the difference back in the first game of this Nations League group, with his penalty just minutes before the end of the first half was enough to claim a point off Bosnia and Herzegovina. This draw is now the difference between them sitting first and not, as they are level on points with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Finland met with Montenegro in the second round of fixtures in the Nations League last time out, and Joel Pohjanpalo’s brace was enough for all three points in what was a relatively easy game for the country at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
Finland are now merely ahead of Edin Dzeko and co. by the one goal in the goals difference tally after Pohjanpalo’s second goal.
A victory is now important for Finland, if they are to remain top of the group with Bosnia and Herzegovina expected to beat Montenegro at the same time.
As for Romania, they sit bottom of the League B Group 3 group, as they have lost both of their games early on, let in three goals, and are yet to score one of their own. It leaves them as one of the most out-of-form sides in UEFA right now, and as one of the only sides outside of League D to not get a goal to this point.
Forebet predicts a draw here with Finland going on the road, and for the game to see under 2.5 goals with Romania expected to get their first point on the board