Finland vs Malta Prediction: Pukki can bid farewell in style

It’s looking fairly bleak for both of these teams in terms of making it to the World Cup. Malta are down and out and while Finland have a slim chance of making the play-offs with a second-place finish, they will likely need to win big in this one as they sit three points behind Poland. 

These two meet on Friday (17:00 GMT), with three points crucial for the hosts. Below you can find my Finland vs Malta predictions featuring team news and more. 

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Team News

Former Norwich City star and Finland icon Teemu Pukki has called time on his international career, with this international break being the last for the striker. Scotland-based Oliver Antman and Topi Keskinen could both start, while Lukas Hradecky will wear the armband in goal. 

James Carragher, son of Jamie, is back in the Malta squad and should feature in defence as he aims to win his fifth cap. Joseph Mbong should feature out wide while Irvin Cardona is in line to play up top. Myles Beerman and Jake Grech are also pushing for starts for the visitors, who have picked up two points from six matches.

Football Odds

Finland vs Malta Odds

Finland are 1/5 favourites to win this game, giving them an implied win probability of 83%. Malta are 14/1 to secure a rare win, while a draw is 11/2.

Over 2.5 goals is priced at 4/6, BTTS is 13/8 and Pukki is favourite to score first at 11/4.

Finland to win -2 handicap @ 13/8

Finland have to win to stand any chance of qualifying, but in truth their hopes are small. Poland have two games left, one against the Netherlands and one against Malta, and they only need one point from those games to make it to the play-offs. 

Finland need a miracle then, and a big win in this game. That shouldn’t be too much of a problem given Malta have struggled in this group, and the reverse fixture ended 1-0 to Finland. They should be chasing goals in this game in order to put the pressure on Poland and I think they will find a big home win.

Today's Football Fixtures

Teemu Pukki to score last @ 3/1

This just feels like the fairy tale finish for Finland’s record goalscorer. 42 goals in 131 international appearances is pretty good going for the 35-year-old and although now he is a bit-part player, he is going to get a warm welcome off the bench in this game. 

I think he’s unlikely to start, but could get the perfect finish to his Finnish career with a goal against a weak Malta outfit that has conceded 16 goals in six matches.