Match details. UEFA Nations League, League C - 2. Kick-off is Tue 29 Sep, 17:00 Lagos time. It is played at Helsinki Olympic Stadium. The referee is Nikola Dabanovic.
What's at stake. Finland are 1st on 3 points after 1 game, level on points with Albania. Belarus are 3rd on 0 points after 1 game, 3 points behind Albania, level on points with San Marino. A win would take them level on points with Albania.
Form. Finland have won five, drawn one and lost four of their last ten, 1.6 points a game. Their last five, newest first: W W L L W. In this competition Finland have gone W. Belarus have won none, drawn four and lost six of their last ten, 0.4 points a game. Their last five, newest first: L D D L L. In this competition Belarus have gone L D L D.
The numbers. Finland score 1.7 and concede 1.4 a game over their last ten, with three clean sheets and three games without a goal. Finland average 12.4 shots (6.2 on target), 4.2 corners and 1.0 cards a game, with 54% of the ball. Belarus score 0.8 and concede 2.3 a game in their last six away, with no clean sheets and two games without a goal. Belarus average 10.2 shots (2.0 on target), 3.8 corners and 2.5 cards a game, with 34% of the ball.
The case against. Belarus's record still gives them 29% to win.
The read. Finland to win. Finland are the stronger side on form and the table; both teams' records favour Finland.
The bets. No bet yet: nothing I'd back is priced yet. Predicted score: Finland 2-1 Belarus (9% chance).
The agreed story. Finland or the draw, goals in between.
Their internationals. National teams: read from their own internationals. Finland in their last internationals: won 7-0 at San Marino. Belarus in their last internationals: lost 0-2 at Albania. Too few internationals to judge the side from.
So. A close match: the safest pick that fits.
Every score's chance from both teams' checked games, never cut or rescaled. The lit square is the likeliest score that fits the read (the call and an open game).