Finland vs. Russia Prediction: Euro 2020 Betting Odds
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Andrew Rogers
The Finns picked up a 1-0 win in a game that saw Denmark’s Christian Eriksen collapse on the pitch and require resuscitation – a tragedy that left players on both teams shell-shocked.
Finland vs. Russia Betting Odds
The Russians are comfortably favoured in this one despite looking completely overmatched in a 3-0 tournament-opening loss to Group B favourite Belgium. Finland is listed at +490 to prevail for the second straight game, while the draw is listed at +291. Russia is also a solid -200 to score the first goal, which should send some bettors flocking to the visitors (who are an intriguing +215 to strike first). The goalless play? You’ll get +700 on that.
Oddsmakers are expecting this one to be a low-scoring affair, with the U2.5 option listed at -175 and the O2.5 play installed at +136. Look for the betting public to be conservative here. We don’t know what to expect from a Finland team still reeling from Eriksen’s chilling collapse, and now have to travel from Copenhagen to Russia for a match just four days later. Russia, on the other hand, looked disjointed offensively and needs three points in the worst way Tuesday.
Team Finland
Teemu Pukki didn’t hit the scoresheet in Finland’s tournament-opening victory, but the fact that he was on the pitch for nearly 76 minutes bodes well for the team moving forward. Pukki, who is dealing with an ankle injury, had 10 goals for Finland in the European Championship qualifying round and added 26 tallies for Norwich this past season. He’s as good a bet as any to strike against the host Russians, and is an interesting +330 play to do just that.
Team Russia
Expect changes at both ends of the field for Stanislav Cherchesov’s club, which has now dropped its last three European Championship games. Artem Dzyuba might find himself on a short leash after struggling mightily against the Belgians, while Cherchesov is expected to go back to a three-defender setup after employing a more aggressive formation (to no avail) vs. Belgium. A loss Tuesday will likely leave Russia with no shot at advancing.