Russia and Finland will be desperate for points in Group B of the Euro 2020 at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg if both teams are to keep hopes alive.
Finland are participating in the Euro for the very first time in their history and their maiden game in this edition was a difficult one, as it was marred by the cardiac arrest suffered by Denmark’s Christian Eriksen.
The Huuhkajat, though, managed to hold their nerve after the resumption of the match to grab a 1-0 win that puts them second in the group, behind Belgium on goal difference.
Russia, on the other hand, are participating in their fifth consecutive European Championships and are coming off the back of a memorable campaign the last time they participated in an international tournament – the FIFA World Cup 2018 at home.
However, Stanislav Cherchesov and co. have not made the best of starts at UEFA Euro 2020, with Belgium grabbing a comprehensive 3-0 win in their opening game.
A positive result on Wednesday is key for each team if it hopes to advance to the knockout stage.
Wednesday’s Group B clash will be the fifth meeting between Finland and Russia. Russia have won each of the four previous match-ups, with Finland managing to score just once (15 for Russia).
Finland have managed to win just one of their last seven games in all competitions (D2 L4), which was coincidentally their most recent clash – the UEFA Euro 2020 opener against Denmark.
Russia are in a similar vein of form as Finland, winning just three of their last 12 matches in all competitions (D4 L5). In addition, Russia have not won in six Euro finals games (D2 L4); their last victory came against Czech Republic in UEFA Euro 2012, and that is their only win in eight Euro finals outings (D2 L5).
Possible Lineup
Finland: Hradecky; Vaisanen, Arajuuri, O’Shaughnessy, Toivio, Uronen; Kamara, Sparv, Lod; Pohjanpalo, Pukki
Russia: Shunin; Dzhikiya, Semenov, Barinov; Fernandes, Zobnin, Ozdoev, Karavaev; Miranchuk, Golovin; Dzyuba
