Finland are currently second place in Group J of qualifying for Euro 2020, looking like they could qualify for next years tournament. The Nordic team travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday evening hoping to secure a vital victory.
Bosnia-Herzegovina have enjoyed a mixed qualification campaign so far in Group J of qualifying, picking up seven points. After a bright start, the home side has now won just one of their last five qualifiers, losing three of their last four outings, including last time out when they suffered a 4-2 defeat in Armenia.
The recent poor run of form seems to have put their qualification hopes to the sword. Poor defensive displays have been at the heart of the home sides problems of late, as they conceded at least two goals in four of their last five qualifiers for Euro 2020.
Bosnia-Herzegovina have a decent home record on home soil in qualifying, as they are unbeaten in eight matches in qualifiers, recording five wins in the process. The home side has also scored at least two goals in six of their last seven qualifiers.
„A“ reprezentativci Bosne i Hercegovine odradili su i treći trening u sklopu priprema za utakmice sa Finskom i Grčkom. pic.twitter.com/rUNIjvXvNP— NFS BIH (@NFSBiH) October 9, 2019
„A“ reprezentativci Bosne i Hercegovine odradili su i treći trening u sklopu priprema za utakmice sa Finskom i Grčkom. pic.twitter.com/rUNIjvXvNP
Finland are currently six points behind group leaders Italy while being three points ahead of third-place Armenia. The Nordic nation can strengthen their qualification hopes with a victory, but cannot afford to lose this clash.
Markku Kanerva’s team have won four of their last five qualifiers. However, a 2-1 home defeat against Italy in their last outing ended a four-game winning run for the visitors in qualifiers.
They have won their last two away qualifiers in Armenia and Liechtenstein and have lost just once in their last five away matches.
Finland will look to star striker Norwich’s Teemu Pukki to give them attacking inspiration, as the in-form star has scored six times in the current qualifying campaign.
Forebet predicts that these two will be difficult to separate and that this game will end in a low-scoring draw.