Football

Daniel Childs

- Republic of Ireland have won three of their last five matches against Finland - Finland have lost four Nations League fixtures in succession - Recommended bet: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/uefa-nations-league/republic-of-ireland-finland/SBTE_2_1020483917?marketGroupId=206?btag=c_content_news_football">Republic of Ireland to win</a>

Nations League Group B2 has been a tough environment for the Republic of Ireland and Finland, who face each other in a key encounter at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Avoiding automatic relegation is the challenge for both teams and third-placed Ireland are in the much stronger position thanks to last month&rsquo;s 2-1 triumph in Helsinki.

Finland are pointless after four matches and will be relegated with a game to spare if they fail to win on Irish soil.

Ireland have a mathematical chance of finishing second but their realistic aim is to nail down third place and ensure they move forward to the relegation play-offs.

<a href="https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/uefa-nations-league/republic-of-ireland-finland/SBTE_2_1020483917?marketGroupId=206?btag=c_content_news_football" target="_blank">The latest Republic of Ireland vs Finland odds are available on LiveScore Bet</a>

The latest Republic of Ireland vs Finland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Matt Doherty has been recalled as cover for Seamus Coleman (match fitness), who withdrew from the squad.

Shane Duffy and Adam Idah have been sent back to their clubs and Robbie Brady misses out with an ankle injury.

Key Finland midfielder Fredrik Jensen (groin surgery) is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Adam Stahl, Tomas Galvez, Leo Vaisanen, Leo Walta and Topi Keskinen were members of last month's Finland squad but have not made the cut this time.

Uncapped defender Juhani Pikkarainen hopes to make his international debut.

Matt Doherty has earned a late recall into the Republic of Ireland squad

Three of Ireland&rsquo;s four victories over Finland were achieved by a 3-0 scoreline.

Ireland have failed to score in four of their last five matches although the exception was last month&rsquo;s 2-1 success away to Finland.

Six of Ireland&rsquo;s last seven home games have generated less than three goals.

Finland have lost four of their last five away fixtures.

The Finns have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six matches.

Both teams have scored in seven of Finland's last nine games.

Ireland were 2-1 winners against Finland in Helsinki last month and look solid favourites to follow that up with a victory in Dublin.

Heimir Hallgrimsson has presided over three losses in his first four games as Ireland’s head coach but there were signs of progress in the October camp.

Three days after the Finland triumph, Ireland were defeated 2-0 by sectional leaders Greece in Athens.

But they competed reasonably well on the night and were just a goal adrift when Petros Mantalos settled the issue with an injury-time strike.

Finland have been nowhere near as competitive and their nine-match sequence without a clean sheet stretches back to November 2023 when they triumphed 4-0 at home to Northern Ireland in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

The Finns are missing some key players for the conclusion of their Nations League campaign and appear likely to suffer a fifth-straight loss.

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Heimir Hallgrimsson's Republic of Ireland beat Finland in Helsinki last month

Republic of Ireland take on fellow strugglers Finland at the Aviva Stadium in the Nations League on Thursday and Daniel Childs expects the home side to seal an important victory.

Republic of Ireland vs Finland predictions: Irish can end Finnish survival hopes

James Milton

- Scotland ended their four-game losing streak with a 0-0 draw against Portugal - Croatia's squad includes Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Andrej Kramaric - Recommended bet: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/uefa-nations-league/scotland-croatia/SBTE_2_1020483857?marketGroupId=206?btag=c_content_news_football">Draw</a>

Scotland claimed a gutsy 0-0 draw against Portugal in their last Nations League fixture, ending a hugely frustrating run of defeats for Steve Clarke's men.

They had conceded crucial late goals against Hungary at Euro 2024 and in their first two Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal.

Scotland had an injury-time effort ruled out for offside in October's 2-1 defeat to Croatia but they welcome back some key players from injury for Friday's return fixture against Zlatko Dalic's side.

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The latest Scotland vs Croatia odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Scotland's injury crisis has eased and John McGinn, Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry, Greg Taylor, Lawrence Shankland and Tommy Conway are back in the squad.

Forwards Che Adams and Lewis Morgan have been ruled out so former Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong has been called up.

Croatia are missing injured defenders Martin Erlic and Dominik Prpic, while midfielder Lovro Majer and striker Bruno Petkovic are also sidelined.

Luka Modric should captain Croatia in Glasgow

Scotland have won only one of their last 16 internationals.

Three of the Scots' four Nations League results have been defeats in which both teams have scored.

Both teams have scored in six of Scotland's last eight matches.

Croatia have kept only one clean sheet in their last eight games.

Eight of Croatia's last 10 matches have featured over 2.5 goals.

Croatia have conceded the first goal in five of their last seven internationals.

Scotland's only victory in their last 16 matches was a friendly win over Gibraltar but their performances have merited better results.

They competed well in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland at the Euros — the Swiss went on to take England to a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals — and the decisive goals in their last four defeats were scored in the 100th, 97th, 88th and 70th minutes.

The return of Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn is a boost for the Scots, who also have Liverpool's Andy Robertson, Napoli pair Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour and exciting youngster Ben Doak in the squad.

A win may be beyond the hosts, especially as Torino striker Che Adams has been ruled out, but they competed well in a narrow 2-1 loss away to Croatia and can hold out for a draw at Hampden Park.

Croatia failed to make the last 16 at the Euros, losing to Spain and drawing with Albania and Italy in the group stage.

Their Nations League form has been patchy too. They lost 2-1 in Portugal, needing a Diogo Dalot own goal to get on the scoresheet, before unconvincing home wins over Poland and Scotland.

Last time out, Croatia blew a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 in Poland and they may have to settle for a point on their trip to Glasgow as well.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/uefa-nations-league/scotland-croatia/SBTE_2_1020483857?marketGroupId=206?btag=c_content_news_football">Back the Draw, available at 9/4 with LiveScore Bet</a>

Performances have been better than recent results suggest for Steve Clarke's Scotland

Scotland host Croatia in the Nations League on Friday and James Milton expects Steve Clarke's men to make life difficult for the visitors.

Scotland vs Croatia predictions: Scots should stand firm at Hampden

- England have won three of their last four matches - The Three Lions have won seven of their 10 fixtures against Greece - Recommended bet: <a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/uefa-nations-league/greece-england/SBTE_2_1020483919?marketGroupId=206?btag=c_content_news_football">England to win</a>

England have been playing catch up in Nations League Group B2 since last month&rsquo;s 2-1 loss at home to Greece but they will have top spot in their sights when heading to Athens on matchday five.

Lee Carsley&rsquo;s side require a victory to move level on points with their hosts, although they would need a two-goal margin of success to take over at the summit.

Greece have established control of the section by taking 12 points from four games and are hoping to win promotion to Nations League A for the first time.

England were relegated from League A after failing to win any of their six matches during their 2022-23 Nations League campaign, but they have had a strong year, reaching the Euro 2024 final, and will look to finish it with victories away to Greece and at home to Ireland over the next few days.

Greece

Greece are missing Eyupspor winger Anastasios Chatzigiovanis, who has missed the last few weeks with an unspecified injury.

Olympiacos's 17-year-old midfielder Christos Mouzakitis has received his first senior call up.

England will be without Harry Maguire (calf) and John Stones (foot), who have not featured in the Premier League in recent weeks.

Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo (both thigh) and Adam Wharton (groin) are also unavailable.

Lee Carsley will be sweating on news over Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon, who were all substituted by their clubs in the weekend fixtures due to injury.

<a href="https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/uefa-nations-league/greece-england/SBTE_2_1020483919?marketGroupId=206?btag=c_content_news_football" target="_blank">The latest Greece vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet</a>

The latest Greece vs England odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Ivan Jovanovic's Greece have been in excellent form, winning four of their last five matches without conceding

Greece have won their last five matches, and have registered three 2-0 victories among that successful run of fixtures.

Greece have won five of their last seven home games without conceding a goal.

England have scored at least two goals in five of their last six fixtures against Greece.

Four of England&rsquo;s last six matches have featured at least three goals.

Both teams have scored in six of England&rsquo;s last eight fixtures.

Lee Carsley is nearing the end of his temporary spell as England manager and can make it four wins from five games by steering his charges to victory over Greece in Athens.

England fans are eagerly anticipating a new era under Thomas Tuchel, who has been tasked with building a team to qualify for and compete at a high level at the 2026 World Cup.

Three Lions players will be aware of the need to impress and should reach a higher level than was the case last month when they slumped to a shock 2-1 loss at home to an impressive Greek side.

Greece played a superb game at Wembley and thoroughly deserved the victory.

However, England have been strong on their travels, winning 2-0 against Ireland and 3-1 over Finland, and they can secure the three points they need to stay in promotion contention.

<a target="_blank" class="editor-link" href="https://www.livescorebet.com/uk/sports/football/uefa-nations-league/greece-england/SBTE_2_1020483919?marketGroupId=206?btag=c_content_news_football">Back England at 8/13 with LiveScore Bet.</a>

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Lee Carsley's England lost to Greece last month at Wembley with a  revamped starting XI

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