NORTHERN IRELAND host Finland on Sunday in the second of both nations' Euro 2024 qualifiers.
It will be an emotional homecoming for Michael O'Neill who returns to Belfast after previous great success as Northern Ireland boss and he is certain to receive a huge reception.
On Thursday, he took his team to San Marino and returned with the inevitable win. The 2-0 wasn't particularly pretty or impressive, but it rarely is against a team who don't want to pass the halfway line and it was job done against a nation that have now played 167 competitive matches and never won.
Finland were also in action on the same night against Denmark and suffered a 3-1 defeat. They were looking likely to hold on for what would have been an impressive point, but two late goals did for them.
Markku Kanerva's side have been going through a rough time since the halcyon days of qualifying for Euro 2020.
They have won only two of their last 13 games – both against Montenegro – although it must be said that their poor Baltic Cup showing in January was only with their homeland-based players.
How the bookies view it
There's very little between the sides according to the bookies, but Northern Ireland have edged into favouritism in light of the midweek results.
The hosts can be backed at 32/19 with SBK and the Finnish are now 2/1 from Coral and on the drift. The draw is 11/5 with bet365.
Recent head to heads
Northern Ireland are ahead 4-2 historically with two draws and they were last paired together for the Euro 2016 Finals with the teams drawing in Helsinki and Northern Ireland winning 2-1 in Belfast.
Players to watch
Dion Charles was the hero for Northern Ireland with a double in San Marino. The Bolton Wanderers star is 11/4 to score anytime with bet365.
For Finland, Oliver Antman scored for them im Copenhagen in midweek, The Groningen midfielder has scored two in his last two Finland matches and is 9/2 to net with UniBet.
Anything else catch the eye?
The Green and White Army are delighted to see O'Neill back, but the Finns look decent value here to spoil his homecoming.
They were eight minutes away from securing a point in Denmark and matched the Danes for long periods. They seem to be getting disrespected by bookies here and look the value call in Belfast.
The layers aren't expecting a thriller with unders as short as 11/20, but neither defence looks great and the Finns were involved in that four-goal thriller in midweek.
Prior to their San Marino slog, the Northern Irish were involved in four of their last four games going over 2.5 goals.
Take a chance on over 2.5 goals at 6/4 with bet365.
This Euro 2024 match between Northern Ireland and Finland will be played on Mar 26, 2023 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Northern Ireland vs Finland prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
