FINLAND face a nerve-wracking final day showdown against an already-qualified France side as they try to clinch a play-off spot.
The Finns are currently second on goal difference ahead of Ukraine by one goal, but it's on an absolute knife-edge with Ukraine away in Sarajevo against Bosnia as their final game.
It could be the time to get the abacuses out, but as it stands, Finland will finish second if they win or if Ukraine fail to win. Ukraine will finish second if they win and Finland lose, but if the two teams finish level on goal difference and goals scored, Ukraine will finish second on the head-to-head results between the teams in the group.
On Tuesday, the Finns should go into this match full of confidence after two excellent wins on the road when they really had to, including a very impressive 3-1 weekend win in Bosnia where they had to play the majority of the match with ten men after Jukka Raitala was sent off.
However, a rampant France are the last time you would want to play if you need the points, especially a France team buoyed by an 8-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan.
How the bookies view it
It's a tricky one to price up, since this is a meaningless match really for France and they are not as short as they would have been. They can be backed at 4/6 with bet365.
Finland are 5/1 to get the win that would guarantee a play-off with SBK and the draw is 3/1 with Unibet.
Recent head to heads
France eased to a 2-0 in the corresponding fixture in Lyon as can be seen below. However, Finland did stun the French with a 2-0 friendly win last year in Paris.
Players to watch
Brentford striker Marcus Forss scored the crucial opening goal against Bosnia at the weekend and he is 7/2 to score anytime with bet365.
With just the four goals against Kazakhstan, Kylian Mbappe is the obvious shout, but for value how about Antoine Griezmann, who netted a double against the Finns in Serptember and is on the penalties at 2/1 with Paddy Power.
Anything else catch the eye?
France would normally be around 1/3 or so for this fixture but it's assumed that they will ease off because they have qualified and Finland need the win.
However, football doesn't work like that and this France squad have simply too much talent to take their foot off the gas. They appear to have recovered from a poor Euros and have to be backed at the price because there will still be a huge gulf in class.
It usually takes the French a bit of time to get into gear and if Finland start pushing up, France could pick them off, so take a chance on the draw at half time and a France win at full time at 15/4 with BetVictor.
This World Cup match between Finland and France will be played on Nov 16, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Finland vs France prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
