Match for the 7th European Qualifiers Group for the 2026 World Cup, at Helsinki Olympic Stadium, home of the Finnish national team.
What We Know
- The Dutch have won 11 out of the last 15 duels between these two, alongside 2 wins for the Finnish, and 2 draws.
- Four straight victories for the Netherlands vs Finland, the last of them in 2011.
- Finland played twice in the group stage, winning against Malta (0-1) and drawing against Lithuania (2-2). This will be the first group-stage match for the Dutch.
- Only one win in their last 7 games for the Netherlands - 5 of them ended with both teams scoring.
- Finland managed to get just 1 win in their last 8 matches (6 losses, 1 draw). Half of these games saw over 2.5 goals.
Finland - Netherlands Betting Tip
Considering the talent gap between the two, the Dutch will win this, one way or another. This is an opportunity for newcomers to show what they can do, while Finland can take advantage of defensive shortcomings and score once. Our pick is over 2.5 goals.
- Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
- Odds: 1.70
- Stake: 6
Finland
Finland continue their struggle for their inaugural participation in the World Cup. The four points they collected in the first two rounds were not the best-case scenario, and things are about to get significantly more difficult against the Netherlands. Finland did manage to defeat Malta away from home, but they squandered an opportunity against Lithuania. They took a 0-2 lead in the 17th minute but allowed Lithuania to come back and equalise.
Danish manager Jacob Friis emphasised just how important it was for his team to enter the clash vs the Dutch with a perfect group record (considering the latter are the group favourites). Still, he acknowledged that his team will try to get as many points as possible from this game. Friis called up players who combine experience and youth. Veteran Roman Eremenko (73 appearances) was called up for the first time in nine years, while talented players like Kuopio’s Siltanen and Petrolul’s Tommy Jyry joined the squad for the first time ever.
The preparations for the game are concluding with no particular problems. Joel Pohjanpalo of Palermo is expected to start up front, while all-time goalscorer veteran Teemu Pukki will be there too. Next up, they will be facing Poland at home on 10 June.
Netherlands
The path towards their 12th World Cup participation is starting for the Netherlands. They have reached the finals thrice but failed to win any of them. The Dutch will be making a delayed start to their group stage matches as they were previously occupied with their Nations League play-offs against Spain. That clash was a memorable one, as both games ended 2-2 during the 90’, and it took a dramatic penalty shootout for Spain to go through. If the Netherlands lead their group, they will qualify directly for the World Cup taking place in the US next summer.
Veteran manager Ronald Koeman caused dissatisfaction with his recent call-ups. Ajax starting forward Brian Brobbey was left out, owing to his lack of game fitness. Eredivisie MVP and recent Feyenoord transfer, Sam Steijn, is also absent from the squad.
Koeman noted that scoring goals is not enough when justifying this choice. He expects one of Wout Weghorst or Memphis to feature up front for his team on Saturday against Finland. The Dutch have been able to score at will recently, but they have also been conceding. Six of their last eight games ended with both teams scoring, and five of those saw more than three goals. They will face Malta on 9 June for their second group phase game.
