Finland go face Albania today, 3rd October, for one big UEFA Nations League Group C1 match inside Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Kick-off na 15:00 CEST, and the stakes clear: if Finland win, dem go climb top of the group. If Albania win, then Albania become the overwhelming favourites to grab the automatic promotion spot.
The mood for Finland camp don swing anyhow within few days. On 26th September, dem hammer San Marino 7-0 away. But three days later, dem play 0-0 draw at home to Belarus. That result leave fans and players with sour taste. The team need lift themselves again.
One person wey no go dey present for Helsinki Olympic Stadium na Robin Lod. Injury force am out of the squad. Without Lod, Finland must find another way.
Midfielder Leo Walta don call for more togetherness. The Los Angeles FC man talk say: ‘We need to be more united. The distances grew too large and we couldn’t find each other. We can’t try to decide the match just as individuals, because as a team we are much stronger.’
Head coach Jacob Friis carry the blame for the poor attacking showing against Belarus, but e still praise him side defensive work after two clean sheets. But Albania be tougher opponent, so Finland need contributions from all areas of the pitch. Friis talk say: ‘I told the players today that we have to be at a high level in all aspects of the game. It feels like the players are looking forward to the match with great enthusiasm because they want to show that they can do better.’
The coach also yan say no knee-jerk reaction go happen with squad selection. ‘There won’t be eight changes to the starting line-up in a panic reaction. I have a lot of faith in these players. They are eager to perform and take more than one point on Saturday.’
Even with the disappointment against Belarus, the Danish coach never lose him sense of humour, even if the jokes no land for media room. ‘None of our players have left camp on a private plane, so everyone is ready. I have more or less all the players available,’ Friis joke, as e refer to Cristiano Ronaldo exit from Portugal camp. But the joke meet complete silence. ‘You didn’t get my joke at first? It was very Finnish – there wasn’t the slightest reaction, so now I look like an idiot,’ he add, make fun of himself.
For Albania side, dem enter the match with better recent form. In them previous game, dem beat San Marino 3-0 away for Stadio Olimpico San Marino. The Red and Black hold 72% possession and record eight shots on goal, with Anis Mehmeti, Myrto Uzuni and Rey Manaj on scoresheet.
Finland confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Lukas Hradecky (GK), Adam Staahl, Samuli Miettinen, Tony Miettinen, Juho Laehteenmaeki, Adam Markhiev, Kaan Kairinen, Leo Walta, Adrian Svanbaeck, Joel Pohjanpalo, Daniel Haakans. Albania confirmed lineup (4-3-3): Etrit Berisha (GK), Elseid Hysaj, Ardian Ismajli, Berat Djimsiti, Mario Mitaj, Ylber Ramadani, Kristjan Asllani, Stavros Pilios, Ernest Muci, Rey Manaj, Arber Hoxha.
As dem dey warm up, lineups don announce. For Finland, Joel Pohjanpalo lead the way with 5 goals, while Benjamin Kaellman and Leo Walta don score 4 and 2 respectively. The leading assistors na Oliver Antman and Adrian Svanbaeck with 2, while goalie Lukas Hradecky don record one clean sheet.
Finland overall record be 4 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws, averaging 1.5 goals from 4.6 shots on goal and 9.5 attempts. Dem hold 52.2% possession and 4.2 corners per match. On average, opposition don score 1.4 goals from 4.5 shots on goal and 9.9 attempts, while being awarded 4.1 corners.
Albania don win 6, lost 2 and drawn 2, with average of 1.3 goals from 3.8 shots on goal and 10.0 attempts. There been average of 57.4% possession, 4.0 corners awarded and 3.7 corners against, while dem concede 0.5 goals from 2.6 shots on goal and 7.9 attempts. Rey Manaj don score 4 goals, followed by Kristjan Asllani on 3 and Myrto Uzuni with 2. Rey Manaj, Elseid Hysaj and Myrto Uzuni be top assists providers with 1, while Thomas Strakosha don record 5 clean sheets inside previous 10 games.
Market odds show Finland be +135 for Nations League win, Albania +215, draw +210. Albania +0.25 on Asian Handicap dey available at -133. Correct score prediction dey for Albania 2-1 at +750. Leo Walta dey -120 to finish with one or more shots on goal. Rey Manaj get +210 for Anytime Goalscorer. Finland Team Corners line dey -103. Bet builder combine Albania +0.25, both teams to score, and Leo Walta minimum one shot on target.
A strong crowd dey expected at today’s encounter. The match na first meeting between the nations since 2002.
