Finland vs Lithuania Prediction: Pohjanpalo primed to inspire Finns

Finland's 3-1 defeat to Poland in September means their Uefa World Cup qualification hopes are out of their hands, but they can keep the pressure on their rivals by beating Lithuania on Thursday. A win will see Huuhkajat draw level with the Poles on 10 points, but their goal difference is inferior, as they will have played a game more. Robert Lewandowski and Co. have the night off before heading to Lithuania on Sunday.

These countries met earlier in the year, playing out a 2-2 draw in March, and the Group G rivals can produce a decent show again. Below are my Finland vs Lithuania predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Finland are without veteran goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, with Palermo's Jesse Joronen set to deputise, while veteran midfielder Rasmus Schuller and centre-back Tony Miettinen are also injured.

Joronen's Palermo colleague Joel Pohjanpalo is expected to lead the line, with Rangers' Oliver Antman set to join him in attack.

Football Odds

Gvidas Gineitis has been involved in four of Lithuania's five goals in qualifying and is expected to be given greater freedom in midfield, while winger Fedor Cernych could draw level with Saulius Mikoliūnas as Trispalvės' most capped players.

Cercle Brugge centre-back Edgaras Utkus is also available after serving a suspension.

Today's Football Fixtures

Finland vs Lithuania Odds

Finland are the 1/2 favourites to win on Thursday, with the draw 3/1 and Lithuania 6/1 to triumph in Helsinki.

A repeat of March's 2-2 scoreline is 20/1, while over 3.5 goals is available at 5/2.

Finland to win and both teams to score @ 11/4

The Finns raced into a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes in Kaunus in March, only to be pegged back to a 2-2 draw.

With a trip to Group G leaders Netherlands still to come, this is a must-win fixture for Jacob Friis' side, but it may not be straightforward.

They lost four in a row in Helsinki before beating Poland 2-1 in June and have conceded in their last 18 fixtures, only keeping a clean sheet against Malta.

Lithuania have failed to score in their last five games, but really pushed the Finns on home turf, winning the shots on target count 6-4, and can contribute to the scoreboard at the Olympic Stadium.

Joel Pohjanpalo anytime goalscorer @ 13/10

Pohjanpalo put Finland 2-0 up when these teams met in Kaunus in March and has since netted in June's win over Poland.

Both were penalties, but he remains a threat in open play, scoring the first goal in Palmero's 2-0 win at Sudtirol last Sunday to take his Serie B tally to four for the campaign.

His old strike partner Teemu Pukki remains part of the Finland squad, but doesn't get the minutes he once did, and 31-year-old Pohjanpalo looks like his country's biggest threat.

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