What time and TV channel is Finland v Ireland on today in the Nations League?
Ireland are crying out for a Nations League win and the bookies make them marginal favourites in Helsinki
Ireland are on the road this week as they prepare for Nations League games against Finland tonight and then old foes Greece in Piraeus, just outside Athens, on Sunday.
Ireland have lost their last three games to Greece, England and Portugal and are out to avoid a fourth defeat on the spin.
Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has batted away Richard Dunne’s claims that he could be sacked if Ireland lose both games this week.
But he could do with a win as the Boys in Green - who will have up to 1,000 fans in attendance at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki - look for a morale boosting result.
Finland are in a rut themselves, having lost four and drawn one of their last six games - including a 4-1 defeat to Wales.
Finnish fans have turned their back on their national team and only 15,000 tickets had been sold for the 36,251-capacity ground as of Wednesday night.
Where is the game on?
The game takes place at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland - the scene of Eamonn Coghlan’s famous 5000m world championships win in 1983.
What time is kick-off?
The game kicks off at 7.45pm (Irish) on Thursday, or 9.45pm local time in Helsinki.
What TV channel is it on and can I stream it?
It is being shown live on RTE2 and the coverage starts at 7.00pm
Betting Odds
Finland 15/8, Ireland 13/8; 2/1 draw
Team News
Ireland have no late injury concerns with all 23 players who travelled to Helsinki available for selection. Callum O’Dowda pulled out before the team left Dublin, and Seamus Coleman and Will Smallbone didn’t make the squad because of respective injuries. Finland's veteran striker Teemu Pukki, who used to play for Norwich City and is now in America with Minnesota United, is a big doubt for the hosts due to a hamstring issue.
What They Say
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson: “I feel better this camp. We had maybe five meetings, we are doing more talking than training. We need to be clear and ready with what we want, and don't overload the players with information. We need to find our ways to win, and once we do, hopefully we can keep on winning.”
Finland captain Lukas Hradecky: “We’ve a team capable of making an impact. I have no doubts that, with this particular group of players, we can beat Ireland. This is the most important match for us.“Of course we want as many fans as possible, but the feeling and energy are always as strong in our team. There were only a few thousand spectators at the games during Covid-19, but even then there was some noise.”
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