Finland Seek World Cup Qualification in Massive Meeting with France!

Having already secured their place at Qatar, France complete their World Cup 2022 Qualifying campaign, with a showdown against second-placed Finland on Tuesday evening.

Didier Deschamps’ side will finish at the top of the pile, after smashing 8 past Kazakhstan last weekend, while their opponents are yet to guarantee themselves a top-two finish.

Markku Kanerva’s Finland will be forced into a change at right-back, with Jukka Raitala suspended for the final matchday. So, either Albin Granlund or Jere Uronen could deputise on Tuesday.

Robert Ivanov was forced to withdraw from the last match against Bosnia-Herzegovina through injury, which should mean a recall for Paulus Arajuuri, in an otherwise settled XI for the hosts.

Marcus Forss will hope to keep his place in attack over Joel Pohjanpalo. Meanwhile, Teemu Pukki is set to win his 100th cap for Finland, as he teams up with the Brentford man.

As for France, Deschamps has no fresh injury or suspension concerns to consider for Tuesday’s battle, and Les Bleus boss could select a strong XI, as Finland will be going all out to win.

A number of alterations can be expected, though, with Aurélien Tchouamén likely to displace N’Golo Kanté amid the Chelsea man’s injury woes, while Benjamin Pavard and Kurt Zouma will be hoping to start in defence.

Marseille man Matteo Guendouzi was handed a frosty welcome from the Parc des Princes faithful for his pre-match comments about the venue for France’s matches. The 22-year-old will hope to be given his debut in Helsinki.

Finland should take the fight to a France side, who may take their foot off the gas slightly with qualification already assured, but some enforced changes in defence could harm the hosts. Our prediction is more than 2.5 goals will be scored, in a 2-1 victory to France.