Finland vs. Russia 6/16/21 Euro Cup 2021 Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Finland is facing Russia at Gazprom Arena in round 2 of Group B in the Euro Cup 2021. Finland has started this tournament with a surprising win, and they are now in 2^nd place in this group. Russia has lost their opening match to Belgium, and they now have only 1 win in their last 4 games.

Finland was playing against Denmark in their Euro Cup opener, and we all know under what circumstances that game was played. Finland was under massive pressure in the first half, but they were defending well. Overall, Finland has had only 30% of ball possession in that game, only 1 shot on goal, 0 corner kicks, 1 big chance created, and only 68% of the correct passes. Finland has scored a goal from that one shot on goal, and they have won that match 0-1. Pohjanpalo is now the leading goalscorer for Finland in the Euro Cup. Alho and Sparv are questionable for this game. Everything Finland did on the defensive end in this match was perfect, but I think it would have ended differently if not for those circumstances. This was Finland’s first goal ever in the major tournament, and with this win, Finland has gotten one step closer to the next stage.

Russia is not in good form, and they got a hard opponent in the opening game, Belgium. Russia was forced to defend throughout the entire game, and they have had only 34% of ball possession, only 1 shot on goal, 4 corner kicks, 0 big chances created, and 74% of the correct passes. Russian defense was chaotic in this game, and they didn’t stand a chance. The final score of this match was 3-0 in favor of Belgium. At the moment, Russia is in the last place in this group, and they will need to win their next two games if they want to have a chance at advancing to the next stage. Kudryashov is injured, and he will miss this game. Russia is not a bad team, and in some moments in their first game they looked really well, but they are far away from the team they were in the World Cup 3 years ago. I think Russia can do enough to end in 2^nd place in his group, of course, some things would need to go their way, but if Russia wins this game, I like their chances.

Finland and Russia have played against each other 4 times, and Russia has won all 4 of those games, although, their last game was back in 2009. I’m sure Finland will be carried by their win against Denmark, and I don’t think they will need to be focused so much on the defense as they were against Denmark. Russia must attack and try to win this game, but so does Finland, which is why I will take goals on both sides.