Yahoo Sports England vs Finland: Preview, predictions and lineups
England conclude their September schedule on Tuesday as they welcome Finland to Wembley for another Nations League encounter.
The Three Lions are set to make light work of their 2024/25 Nations League group having been relegated to the second tier last time out. England's campaign, as well as life beyond Gareth Southgate, started with a comfortable 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
Former Ireland stars Declan Rice and Jack Grealish rather humorously found the back of the net in England's victory on Saturday.
Interim manager Lee Carsley will be aiming for another serene triumph on Tuesday after the Three Lions produced a controlled and dynamic display at the weekend.
Carsley's men are facing a Finland team currently ranked 63rd in the world. Bereft of star power, the Finns were absent from Euro 2024 and they started their Nations League campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Greece on Saturday. This is their first meeting with England since 2001, and they've never beaten the Three Lions in nine attempts.
Here is 90min's guide England vs Finland at Wembley on Tuesday.
What time does England vs Finland kick-off?
England vs Finland H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Last meeting: England 2-1 Finland (24 March 2001) - World Cup qualifier
Current form (all competitions)
How to watch England vs Finland on TV and live stream
England team news
Carsley saw several stars withdraw from his squad ahead of the Ireland victory, with the former leader of the Under-21s handing call-ups to players with whom he's familiar. Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes made their Three Lions debuts off the bench last time out, and the pair are pushing for starts under the arch on Tuesday.
Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento are also on the hunt for minutes, although we shouldn't expect wholesale changes to Carsley's starting XI against Finland with no injuries being reported in the aftermath of Saturday's win.
John Stones could come into the team, as could Eberechi Eze. Marc Guehi and Jack Grealish, a goalscorer in Dublin, may be the two to drop out.
England predicted lineup vs Finland (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Colwill; Mainoo, Rice; Saka, Eze, Gordon; Kane.
Finland team news
While the hosts are injury-free, Finland endured a couple of injury setbacks at the weekend. Midfielder Kaan Kairinen missed their 3-0 thumping at the hands of Greece after sustaining an injury in the warm-up, while Rasmus Schuller was withdrawn in the first half with a knock.
Neither player is expected to feature at Wembley.
Teemu Pukki is perhaps the best-known figure in the Finland squad having plied his trade in the Premier League with Norwich, but his place in the starting XI is not guaranteed. Markku Kanerva could instead opt for Venezia's Joel Pohjanpalo up top.
Finland predicted lineup vs England (4-2-3-1): Hradecky; Stahl, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Uronen; Peltola, Nissila; Lod, Kamara, Antman; Pohjanpalo
England vs Finland score prediction
England were impressive against an albeit outmatched Ireland last time out, and their distinct superiority should manifest once again on Tuesday.
Finland are with long-time boss Kanerva at the helm, and they should pose little threat to an England team with a superb record at Wembley. The Three Lions rarely struggle in fixtures of this ilk, and Saturday's performance would suggest those in attendance on Tuesday will be entertained.
Having been battered by the Greeks at the weekend, Kanerva's Finland could be subject to another long evening.
