Scotland vs Finland: Preview, Prediction & Betting Picks

Scotland host Finland at Hampden Park in the final game before they set off to Germany to participate in the European Championships.

Date: 6/7/24

Kick-off time: 11:45 am Pacific Time

Venue: Hampden Park

Manager Steve Clarke has named an initial 28-man provisional squad, allowing him to take a good look at his players before cutting it down to 26 the next day. He has named a squad mixed with youth and experience, including Liverpool youngster Ben Doak, who will hope to make his first ever international appearance. Premier League representation includes Andy Robertson, Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay.

It was a strong qualification campaign for Scotland, as they secured their place in the tournament with two games to spare. However, they are in the midst of a seven-game winless streak through the last international break, so they will be desperate to generate momentum and confidence ahead of their opening game against Germany. In their last five games, they have conceded 14 goals and scored six. During qualifying, McTominay was their leading goalscorer with seven. Only four players scored more, so he will likely be a strong threat once more. Aston Villa’s John McGinn has also been a solid contributor offensively with three goals.

Finland finished third in their qualifying group with 18 points, but earned the opportunity to enter the Euros via the playoffs. However, they fell at the first hurdle, losing 4-1 against Wales. Instead, they will serve as preparation for Scotland in this friendly. They could give them some issues at the back, as they have scored in each of their last five games. Striker Teemu Pukki will be a familiar name who will hope to get on the scoresheet.

These two countries have met just eight times before, and Scotland have been dominant winning six games and drawing two. The latest game was an international friendly in 1998, which ended 1-1. They have played in four competitive fixtures, twice in the European Championship and twice in World Cup qualifying and the World Cup.

Scotland Team News

Scotland have been dealt a huge blow as striker Lyndon Dykes suffered a leg injury in training which has ruled him out of the Euros. There are a number of youngsters named in the provisional squad for Euro 2024 looking to impress, including Liverpool teenager Ben Doak, who has yet to earn a cap. Celtic winger James Forrest has earned a recall for the first time in almost three years.

Finland Team News

Bayer Leverkusen’s Lukas Hradecky will likely be the number one. Teemu Pukki will play a big role for Finland.

Scotland Form Guide

In the last five games, Scotland have drawn two and lost three. It has been a poor stretch for Scotland as they failed to pick up a win across both friendlies and European Qualifiers. The first game of this run was a friendly, in which they took on France. However, they came out as 4-1 losers. Billy Gilmour had given the Scots the lead after just 11 minutes, but Benjamin Pavard equalised five minutes later. The defender grabbed his second shortly after to put France ahead, before Kylian Mbappe and Kingsley Coman added to the lead.

They returned to qualifying action against Georgia, but were only able to pick up a point. They had to come from behind twice to earn this result. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice, with Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland providing the responses, including a 93rd minute leveller. Another draw followed, as the points were shared in a 3-3 draw at home to Norway in the final group game. Both teams took leads during the game, though it was the visitors who grabbed a late equaliser. Norway went ahead twice through Aron Donnum and Jorgen Strand Larsen, but were pegged back by John McGinn and an own goal. Mohamed Elyounoussi scored with four minutes left after Stuart Armstrong put Scotland on top.

The last international break saw them lose twice in friendlies, firstly 4-0 to Netherlands. Most of the damage was done late with Tijjani Reijnders, Georginio Wijnaldum, Wout Weghorst and Donyell Malen scoring. Their latest game was a home fixture against Northern Ireland in which they lost 1-0. Conor Bradley’s first half goal was the difference between the two sides. Before they take on Finland, Scotland will travel to Gibraltar for another friendly on Monday night.

Finland Form Guide

In their last four games, Finland have won three and lost one. It has been a good stretch for Finland results wise, but they failed to qualify for the upcoming European Championships with a loss when it mattered most. However, this stretch began with a dominant 4-0 win over Northern Ireland in their penultimate qualifying group game. Joel Pohjanpalo’s penalty on the stroke of half-time opened the scoring, before Daniel Hakans doubled the lead immediately after the restart. Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod scored two late goals to put the game to bed.

They then faced minnows San Marino, and they came out as 2-1 winners away from home in the final matchday of the qualifying group phase. A brace from Pyry Soiri in eight second half minutes gave them a commanding lead. Filippo Berardi halved the deficit from the penalty spot in the 97th minute, but it was far too late for it to be anything but a consolation. Their final position in the group meant that they would have a chance to qualify for the Euros via the playoffs. In the first round of playoff fixtures, they faced Wales, but were eliminated with a 4-1 defeat. Wales took the lead through David Brooks after just three minutes, before Neco Williams added another. Pukki pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, but Brennan Johnson netted shortly into the second half. Daniel James scored a fourth late on to secure the win.

Last time out, they played Estonia in a friendly, winning 2-1. Finland took a 2-0 lead into half-time with a strike from Fredrik Jensen and a Karl Hein own goal. Alex Matthias Tamm scored to make it 2-1, but this was how the scoreline remained. Before they take on Scotland, they will face Portugal in another friendly on Tuesday night.

Scotland will be looking to enter the Euros on a high, and we expect them to do so with a win against Finland. The visitors will give them a test, but the Scots should prevail – Scotland 2-0 Finland

Scotland vs Finland will be available to watch on Apple TV