Italy look for victory away from home in Finland in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers
Juhm [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Italy and Finland will go head to head on Sunday in UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers as both teams look forward to making an appearance in next year’s showpiece event. Italy go into this game as the favourites.
Kick-off : 9:45 PM (Local)
Venue : Tampere Stadium, Tampere
Italy after a solid showing so far in the qualifiers will now look to build upon the success as they have games ahead.
The Gli Azzurri are presently 1st in the points table after 5 games with full 15 points. They have a goal difference of +14.
Now the opponents are Finland which should be a testing game, given Finland’s current form.
Italy will need to be solid defensively in Tampere and attack in the final third. If they can score early they can put pressure on Finland.
On the other hand, Finland themselves have had a good campaign so far and will look to carry on the good work moving ahead.
Finland are currently 2nd in the points table after 5 games with 12 points. The only loss came to Italy themselves away. Also the goal difference is +5 with Finland scoring 7 and shipping just two goals, all against Italy.
So Finland should be a tough nut to crack under Markku Kanerva. Huuhkajat need to make the home advantage count against Italy.
Absorb the pressure and hit Italy on the counter. Maybe sneak in a draw. Good luck to them.
Italy have a very good record against Finland and they will look to build upon the fact.
Team news and possible line-ups
Tim Sparv will captain Finland against Italy.
As for Gli Azzurri, Marco Verratti will not be available as due to suspension.
Finland XI : Hradecky, Raitala, Toivio, Arajuuri, Vaisanen, Uronen, Lod, Kamara, Sparv, Pukki, Tuominen.
Italy XI : Donnarumma, Florenzi, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Emerson, Barella, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Chiesa, Belotti, Bernardeschi.
Prediction
It should be a good game between the top two sides in the group. I think this game might end up a 1-1 draw.
