Euro 2024 qualifier: Northern Ireland vs Finland verdict, predicted score, stats and suggested bets
Michael O'Neill
Northern Ireland will be looking to continue their perfect start to the 2024 European Championship qualifiers when they welcome Finland to Windsor Park.
Date, KO time and TV coverage
Euro 2024 qualifiers, Sunday, March 26, Kick-off 7.45pm, live on Viaplay
Predicted score
Suggested bets
Match result - draw
Both teams to score
Correct score - 1-1
Key stats
Northern Ireland won two of their eight games in 2022
Both teams to score has landed in four straight head-to-heads
Finland are on a three-match losing run
Finland have won just one of their last nine
Previous meetings
Euro 2016 Quals: Finland 1-1 Northern Ireland - October 2015
Euro 2016 Quals: Northern Ireland 2-1 Finland - March 2015
Friendly international: Northern Ireland 3-3 Finland - August 2012
Friendly international: Finland 1-2 Northern Ireland - August 2006
Friendly international: Northern Ireland 0-1 Finland - February 2003
Team news
It's often said that you don't change a winning team and Michael O'Neill will certainly contemplate that notion ahead of Sunday's clash with Finland.
Northern Ireland earned a 2-0 win over San Marino on Thursday, though O'Neill could tweak his side as he looks to manage the game time of Josh Magennis and Conor Washington.
Shea Charles is also in contention as the Manchester City youngster looks to make an impact in the middle of the park.
Finland are not expected to make too many changes themselves. Rasmus Schuller missed Thursday's defeat to Denmark and could return for the trip to Belfast.
Middlesbrough's Marcus Forss is also an option for manager Markku Kanerva.
Recent form
Northern Ireland endured a testing year in 2022 as they picked up just two wins from eight matches.
Nevertheless, Thursday's 2-0 victory over San Marino has put Michael O'Neill's men back in the winning lane.
Results have been mixed in recent months with the national side winning two, drawing two and losing two of their last six internationals.
Interestingly, Northern Ireland's record makes for better reading than Finland's.
The Scandinavian outfit are on a three-match losing run and they haven't tasted victory in five.
Finland have won just one game from their last nine - a 2-0 success away against Montenegro.
What has been said?
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill: "We'll go to a different type of game where we won't have that dominance or level of possession. We'll be tested out of possession but that might suit us and it might be better for out attacking players to play in bigger spaces against less of a crowded defensive line.
"The opportunity is there for us to take six points from the opening two games."
Finland boss Markku Kanerva on 700 fans making the trip to Belfast: "It tells me all about the enthusiasm that is now being shown towards Huuhkaji.
"The supporters have really helped us along the way and it's wonderful that this enthusiasm is spreading all the time and the team is ready to travel long distances to away games as well.
Verdict
Northern Ireland fans will find out whether their side have a realistic shot of European Championship qualification when they take on Finland this Sunday.
Thursday's win over San Marino means O'Neill's men have a chance of ending the international break top of their group should they overcome Finland.
While Denmark are expected to dominate the group, Northern Ireland will certainly fancy their chances for second spot against the likes of Slovenia, Kazakhstan and the Finns.
While the battle for qualification remains unpredictable, one thing we can expect is a close game on Sunday.
Both Northern Ireland and Finland are evenly matched - a point emphasised by the recent head-to-head record.
Since the turn of the century, this fixture has not been won by a margin greater than one goal.
Two of the last three games have ended in draws, while Northern Irish have also won two of three last four - both by the 2-1 scoreline.
Considering the stakes are high, we're backing Sunday's encounter to end in a draw.
A 1-1 scoreline in the correct score market will offer a big price. Though a simple bet in the outright market should also produce tasty odds.
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