Montenegro and Finland set for stalemate in Nations League
Montenegro vs Finland - 26/09/2022
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Montenegro and Finland will finish out their UEFA Nations League B Group 3 campaigns on Monday. The hosts are safe from relegation to League C but cannot win the group.
Finland are not safe from relegation to League C. A loss or draw to Montenegro, and a Romania win versus group winner Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Finland will drop to League C.
Montenegro lost to Bosnia on Friday night 1-0. It was Montenegro's first loss in three matches and ended their hope of winning the group.
The reverse fixture between these teams finished with a Finland 2-0 win in Helsinki. Joel Pohjanpalo scored twice for Finland in the first half.
Finland go into the match on a run of poor form and are winless in three straight matches in the UEFA Nations League. Finland drew 1-1 with Romania on Friday night in a relegation battle between the teams.
Teemu Pukki scored in the 12th minute for Finland, but Romania’s Florin Tanase scored an equaliser in the 52nd minute. Finland have to win to ensure they are not relegated. A draw may not be enough if Romania win against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pukki should start in attack for Finland barring any late fitness issues. The Norwich City man is Finland’s most important attacking player. Venezia’s Pohjanpalo could start in attack with Pukki. Fredrik Jensen started in the attack with Pukki versus Romania.
Stevan Jovetic could start in attack once more for Montenegro after playing as the lone striker versus Bosnia. Stefan Mugosa could replace Jovetic in the starting XI, however. Mugosa came on in the second half for Jovetic on Friday night.
Mugosa plays for Japan’s Vissel Kobe where he has played just four times since arriving from Korea’s Incheon United. Montenegro lacks a lot of star quality at the moment. Just two players from the team’s current squad play in a top-five European league.
Finland don’t have many big-name players either. However, the Finnish team has some outstanding players including Glen Kamara, Marcus Forss, and Rasmus Schuller. Finland should find a way to get a result in this match.
Although Finland won the reverse fixture 2-0 at home, matchday No. 6 should be different. Markku Kanerva’s team will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders to win. It should leave the match open for Montenegro to get a goal.
Monday’s fixture should finish 1-1, with neither side able to get the win. The draw could allow Romania to sneak by Finland in the standings.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UNL
304129
X
1 - 1
2.23
18°
3.10
2.45
3.10
2.75
no
no
no
0 - 2(0 - 0)
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