Netherlands vs Finland Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Ronald Koeman is set to guide the Netherlands to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after spending two stints as manager following their 2018 and 2022 campaigns under the tutelage of Dick Advocaat and Louis van Gaal, respectively.

This new era of the Oranje appears more promising than past editions with the squad boasting greater talent and depth, narrowing the gap on international heavyweights like Spain, France, Argentina, England, Portugal and Brazil.

The Netherlands, currently ranked the 7th best team in the latest FIFA rankings, come into the clash brimming with confidence. Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries scored for the Dutch in Helsinki, completing a (2-0) victory over Finland.

Malta travelled to the Netherlands, making the trip to Groningen, only to suffer a humbling 8-0 defeat, dismantled by a ruthless and well-oiled Dutch machine.

The Netherlands faced a tougher test in their next match, taking on Poland in a challenging encounter in Rotterdam, in a battle for supremacy at the summit of Group G.

Denzel Dumfries’ first-half strike was cancelled out by a fellow right-back, Matty Cash, in the final 10 minutes as both teams settled for a share of the spoils.

Making the trip to Lithuania, Ronald Koeman’s troops found themselves 2-0 up within 30 minutes thanks to Memphis Depay and Quinten Timber. However, Lithuania equalized with two goals of their own before the halftime whistle, stunning the visitors.

With the stage set perfectly, Depay netted the winner to clinch a 3-2 victory and become the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer, overtaking Robin van Persie (50 goals).

Despite their defensive lapses against Lithuania and conceding their lead to Poland, the Netherlands’ recent performances show a team growing in stature to become one of the favourites at the 2026 FIFA World Cup instead of their regular dark horse tag.

Finland suffered six successive defeats during their UEFA Nations League campaign, prompting a change in management with Augsburg assistant coach Jacob Friis appointed as head coach on a three-year contract, replacing Markku Kanerva.

Friis is faced with an uphill task, seeing as Finland has never qualified for a World Cup. Although Finland gave a decent account of themselves ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with striker Teemu Pukki in red-hot scoring form, netting six goals during the qualifiers.

Oliver Antman scored the vital goal for Finland in Friis’ first match at the helm, edging out a (1-0) away win in Malta. Finland then made the trip to Lithuania, finding themselves 2-0 up courtesy of first-half goals by Kaan Kairinen and Joel Pohjanpalo.

However, careless defending led to Lithuania cancelling out Finland’s two-goal advantage to steal a share of the spoils (2-2) in an entertaining stalemate. Returning to home soil, the Netherlands claimed maximum points over Finland (0-2), while their clash with Poland proved much more fruitful.

Joel Pohjanpalo and Benjamin Kallman were on the scoresheet for Finland, while Jakub Kiwior netted a consolation goal for Poland in a 2-1 win for the hosts. Preparing for the return clash away in Poland, Finland lost to Norway (1-0) in a friendly.

Poland outclassed Finland at the Silesian Stadium, running out 3-1 winners with Benjamin Kallman coming off the bench to score in successive qualifying matches.

Despite mixed results, Jacob Friis has enforced promising changes in attack with key forwards Pohjanpalo and Kallman stepping up for the Eagle-Owls. If Finland can tighten up defensively, they could mount a credible challenge to qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup.