The 2020/21 UEFA Nations League continues this week and on Sunday the 11th of October we have a meeting between Finland and Bulgaria. This match will be played at the Gloria Sports Arena and features two teams from Nations League B, Group 4.
As things stand in the group, Finland are in second place on 3 points while Bulgaria are bottom of the group on 1 point.
🤩 Your nation's most passionate star is __________🇧🇬 Bozhidar Kraev showing what an international goal means 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/u1WCareg1u— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) October 7, 2020
🤩 Your nation's most passionate star is __________🇧🇬 Bozhidar Kraev showing what an international goal means 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/u1WCareg1u
Finland come into the match on the back of a heavy 5-1 defeat at the hands of Poland. The friendly match was played on the 7th of October and Finland found themselves 3-0 down before half time. Despite scoring a goal in the second half, Finland could not get back into the match and it was a disappointing defeat.
However, in their previous Nations League game, Finland travelled to Republic of Ireland and came away with an excellent 1-0 victory. Finland took the lead in the 63rd minute and managed to successfully defend their goal for the remainder of the match to take maximum points. It was an important victory following the 1-0 loss at home against Wales in the opening game of the group.
Trends show Finland have a good recent record at home and they have won 4 of their last 6 matches. There have been victories over Bosnia, Greece, Armenia, and Liechtenstein.
Bulgaria's most recent match came away against Wales in the Nations League. It seemed as though they were going to come away from the game with a point to show for their efforts. However, a goal in the 90th minute by the hosts came as a huge blow to the Bulgarian team, who went away with nothing.
That defeat means Bulgaria failed to win any of their two Nations League matches. They started with a home fixture against Republic of Ireland and having taken the lead in the 56th minute, it appeared as though they were going to take maximum points. However, in what has become a trend for Bulgaria so far in this group, they conceded a 90th minute goal and the game ended 1-1.
Bulgaria's away form has been poor and they have failed to win any of their last 8 away matches. There have been draws away from home against Cyprus, Kosovo, and most recently, Montenegro.
Team news and Finland will start with Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki in attack. The experienced Lukáš Hrádecký will play in goal and captain Tim Sparv will be in midfield.
Bulgaria can call upon Midtjylland striker Bozhidar Kraev and he scored their only goal to date in the Nations League. There have been several changes to the squad with 6 players who were called up for the game against Wales missing out.
Finland know a victory in this game could see them move clear of both Bulgaria and Republic of Ireland. However, Bulgaria have shown they are going to be no pushovers in this group and could come away with a point in a low scoring draw.