Finland vs France Predictions

• France have won ten of their last 11 away matches, excluding the Euro 2020 Finals.
• Finland are without right-sided defender Jukka Raitala (suspended) and captain Tim Sparv (injured).
• France trounced Kazakhstan 8-0 on Friday with Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema sharing six goals.
• Four of France’s last ten away wins have been by 1-0.
• Finland hold second spot in Group D but are just two points ahead of Ukraine in third ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Finns to fall short against France

Finland need to follow up their good win in Zenica with another against world and UEFA Nations League champions France on Tuesday to ensure their spot in the World Cup playoffs.

Markku Kanerva’s team pulled off a classic backs-to-the-wall victory after Jukka Raitala’s straight red card in the first half. Finland’s gameplan didn’t change that much as they were set up to counter-attack anyway but the way that they didn’t panic, instead redoubling their efforts when reduced to ten men, was impressive.

France, who have won on their four previous trips to Finland, could be a touch too strong for the hosts to get the win they need on Tuesday.

France’s attacking riches should suffice

Didier Deschamps’ men brushed Kazakhstan aside with ease last week in an 8-0 romp that showcased their attacking riches. Defensively, they may still be a bit suspect against elite opposition, but Finland are ranked 60th in the world and their only win over a top 50 nation this year came in those awful circumstances against Denmark at the delayed Euro 2020 finals.

The Finns will try to follow the same formula as in their 2-0 friendly win over Les Bleus of 2020 when Markku Kanerva’s defended well after striking twice in the space of three first-half minutes. But those kind of days don’t come around very often and we forecast a night of disappointment for the hosts – at least in terms of looking after their own fate.

The visitors will justify their odds-on price by dominating possession and carving out enough chances for victory with a 1-0 French win looking a good bet based on Les Bleus having won four of their last ten away games by that scoreline.