Republic of Ireland v Finland: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Finland sit rock-bottom of their Nations League group following four straight defeats and Ireland are just above them in third courtesy of a crucial win over the Finns in Helsinki last month.

Automatic demotion will fall to the side finishing bottom, while the third-placed side will face a relegation play-off to protect their place in the group.

A point will be enough for Ireland to avoid finishing bottom so there is extra incentive for the Boys in Green to win but goals have been hard to come by for both nations and a cagey contest looks likely at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday. 

Republic of Ireland v Finland betting tips and predictions

Ireland to win & under 2.5 goals - 9/4

Greece and England will battle it out for the top spots in League B2 but Ireland have their eyes on third and they can seal their place in the section for now at the expense of bottom side Finland with one game still to come.

Ireland head to Wembley to face England on Sunday so won't want to leave it until the last minute to try to protect their status in the third tier of this competition, and they can be bullish about their chances against the Finns.

A 2-1 win in Helsinki last month lifted the Boys in Green above their fellow strugglers and they can do the double over Finland back on home soil in Dublin.

The Eagle Owls have lost all four matches in the group and have scored just two goals along the way so a low-scoring encounter looks likely at the Aviva Stadium.

Last month's win was only the second time in nine outings that Ireland had managed two goals in a game and the floodgates are unlikely to open this week, so a home win featuring no more than two goals looks a solid opening bet.

Finland have lost four of their five away matches in 2024 and Ireland are fancied to edge a cagey contest on Thursday.

Ireland to win 1-0 - 9/2

Despite the threat of relegation into the bottom tier of the Nations League, motivation in either camp is unlikely to be overflowing and both are likely to want the competition to end sooner rather than later.

However, Ireland remain a passionate bunch and they will want to put on a decent show for their partisan fans in Dublin, so backing a low-scoring home win has a strong chance of paying off.

Ireland's 2-1 win over Finland last month was only the second time in nine outings that they had managed two goals in a game, and Finland are likely to set up looking to avoid defeat as much as pushing to win the match.

So with that in mind, backing a 1-0 home win also looks a decent wager as neither side are particularly strong in attack, and should the home side get their noses in front, they are unlikely to be hell-bent on bagging a second.

Half-time draw - 21/20

Two of Ireland's last three matches have been level at the half-time interval and there is a good chance this contest in Dublin could be all square at the break, too.

Neither side will want to give anything away too early, and Finland are likely to sit back and play on the counter attack.

With both sides struggling in forward areas anyway, chances may be few and far between, so a half-time draw looks a good third betting option.

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Republic of Ireland v Finland odds

Republic of Ireland - 4/6
Draw - 13/5
Finland - 17/4

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.