Finland vs Malta prediction: EUROPE: World Cup – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-11-13 17:00.
[p]Finland must win their final FIFA World Cup qualifying (WCQ) clash against a Malta side whose fate is already sealed.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Despite Finland’s bright start to this WCQ cycle, it appears highly unlikely that they will qualify for a first World Cup. After winning just one of their last three qualifiers (L2), Jacob Friis’ side sit third in Group G, three points behind second-placed Poland. To stand any chance of competing in the play-offs, the Finns need to win here and hope that Poland are beaten by the Netherlands. Even if both of those criteria are met, Finland would then need Malta to pull off an enormous shock and beat Poland when the two nations meet on Monday.  [/p]
[p]The situation is a much simpler one for Malta, who are merely playing for pride when they arrive in Helsinki. With just two points earned all campaign (D2, L4) and just one goal scored in this WCQ cycle so far, it has been a sobering campaign for Emilio De Leo’s side. Appointed in January, his sole win in eight games at the helm so far came in September’s friendly against San Marino (3-1). The Neapolitan’s only task now is to try and elevate Malta away from the bottom of Group G. To do so, they’ll likely need to claim at least two points from their last two games. [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Malta won the first clash between these nations, but Finland are unbeaten in the last eight H2Hs (W6, D2), winning each of the previous six meetings. [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Five of Finland’s seven WCQ games have produced over 2.5 total goals.[/p]
[p]Finland’s only clean sheet in their last 19 games came in March’s reverse fixture (1-0).[/p]
[p]Malta’s total of 19 yellow cards is more than any other European nation heading into November’s WCQs.[/p]
[p]Malta have conceded five goals on or after the 76th minute so far in WCQ.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Teemu Pukki will retire from international football after this month, so this marks his last competitive game for Finland. The striker has happy memories of facing Malta, after scoring twice against them in a 5-0 win in 2018. Alexander Satariano netted Malta’s only goal so far in this WCQ cycle, and they are yet to lose a game when he is on the scoresheet (W2, D2).[/p]
[p]First-choice goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky has been called up by Finland despite missing Monaco’s last 13 games. Malta will be without Jake Azzopardi, Ryan Camenzuli and Teddy Teuma through suspension.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]The hosts have no choice but to go all out attack, so we recommend backing Finland to win by four or more goals.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]