Finland v Russia betting tips: Russia must bounce back from opening loss
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Preview and odds for the Group B match
Russia made a poor start to the tournament but will be much more confident of getting a result against European Championship debutants Finland.
A 3-0 loss to Belgium means Russia are under pressure to bounce back with a victory in Saint Petersburg while Finland are eyeing a place in the last 16 after beating Denmark 1-0 in difficult circumstances.
Wednesday’s match is live on BBC One and kicks off at 2pm as we highlight a few potential Finland v Russia betting tips.
Finland v Russia match odds
Finland began the Euros as the favourites to finish bottom of Group B but victory over the Danes in Copenhagen means they are now odds-on to qualify for the last 16 at 4/6.
The match was overshadowed by Christian Eriksen collapsing just before half-time but eventually continued after the Inter Milan midfielder was taken to hospital.
Finland grabbed the only goal in the 58th minute when Bayer Leverkusen forward Joel Pohjanpalo headed past Kasper Schmeichel, who could not keep the ball out.
The Finns held on for all three points when goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky saved a penalty from Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Russia had no answer to Belgium as a brace from Romelu Lukaku helped condemn them to a 3-0 loss and they are now 11/10 to qualify for the knockout stage.
The odds suggest they will get back on track here, though, with Russia the 4/6 favourites and Finland 5/1 for a second win while the draw is 13/5.
Finland’s goal against Denmark means they have scored in their last eight competitive matches and Russia will need to go on the attack here so both teams to score is an option at 5/4.
Finland v Russia head-to-head
Previous meetings show why the hosts are such short odds for victory with Russia having won all four contests, scoring 15 goals in the process and conceding just one.
Their most recent encounters came during qualifying for the 2010 World Cup when Russia won both games 3-0 having been 1-0 up at half-time.
Previous XI
Russia: Shunin, Fernandes, Semenov, Dzhikiya, Zhirkov, Ozdoev, Barinov, Zobnin, Golovin, Kuzyaev, Dzyuba.
Team news
Russia have been dealt a blow with news Yuri Zhirkov could be ruled out for the rest of the tournament.
The Zenit St Petersburg midfielder was forced off against Belgium due to a calf injury and head coach Stanislav Cherchesov revealed Daler Kuzyaev, Fyodor Kudryashov, Georgi Dzhikiya and Aleksandr Golovin are all doubtful.
Key battles
Cherchesov will hope his side produce much more on the ball than they managed against Belgium, when he used all five substitutions by the 63rd minute.
Zenit St Petersburg striker Artem Dzyuba had little service in that game but ended the domestic season in fine form and is 13/10 to have at least two shots on target here.
Finland at least proved with Pohjanpalo’s goal against Denmark that they are not a one-man team in terms of a goal threat but Norwich forward Teemu Pukki is undoubtedly the player Russia’s defence needs to watch.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
