Belarus vs Finland – News and Probable Lineups

Belarus seeks to build on their initial success in the UEFA Nations League as they prepare to face Group C1 leaders Finland at the Illoxky Rudolf Stadion in Budapest on Tuesday.

This match will see the hosts playing another fixture on neutral ground, as UEFA restrictions continue to prevent Belarus from holding games within their own borders.

Match overview

Belarus started their campaign with a loss of 2-0 to Albania, but bounced back by managing a draw against Finland in Helsinki, before delivering their best display of the group stage in a resounding win against San Marino on Saturday.

The 4-0 triumph against San Marino marked their first victory in this Nations League campaign, with Artem Kontsevoi netting two goals after halftime, while Artem Shumanskiy and Maks Ebong also contributed to the scoreline, providing Viktor Goncharenko’s team with a crucial offensive lift.

One of Goncharenko’s significant achievements since taking the reigns has been transforming Belarus into a tougher side to defeat, conceding no more than two goals in each of their last ten outings, and allowing only two goals during their Nations League matches.

This progress has laid a foundation for a more confident attacking game for Belarus, enabling them to take four points from their first three encounters without exposing themselves to excessive danger at the back.

Goncharenko aims for his team to make further advancements when they encounter a Finnish squad that they have yet to defeat in six previous encounters.

Finland, on the other hand, comes into the match after overcoming an early challenge against Albania on Saturday, where Rey Manaj put the hosts in front within just four minutes. However, Leo Walta equalized before halftime and later completed the comeback with a second goal in the 71st minute.

Walta has emerged as Finland’s most effective player in this Nations League campaign, following up his brace against Albania with a hat-trick against San Marino, placing him at five goals in the group stage thus far.

Under Jacob Friis, Finland currently occupies a strong position in Group C1, sitting at the top with seven points from three matches, while Albania trails closely with only one point less, followed by Belarus, who are three points behind.

Traditionally, Finland has not frequently played as the visiting team in this matchup, having hosted five of the previous six meetings and managing a draw in the only away fixture.

Team News

Belarus has reported no injury concerns or suspensions ahead of the rematch, and Goncharenko is anticipated to continue with his established group of players.

Fedor Lapoukhov has been utilized as the goalkeeper during the Nations League, while Zakhar Volkov, Kirill Gomanov, and Kirill Pechenin have formed a dependable defensive unit.

After scoring twice in the recent match, Kontsevoi is becoming a more vital attacking option under Goncharenko, likely to start on the right wing for the home side.

Finland has also indicated no new injury issues, with Glen Kamara rejoining the squad after a year-long absence, whereas Kaan Kairinen is available following an injury that kept him out of the March international fixtures.

Oliver Antman and Naatan Skytta were not included, and Nikolai Alho and Jesse Joronen have retired from international duty.

Joel Pohjanpalo provides Finland with a more direct approach to goal, having scored three times in the 7-0 victory over San Marino, serving as a target for crosses and forward passes.

Belarus probable starting XI:

Lapoukhov; Begunov, Gomanov, Volkov, Pechenin; Ebong, Yablonskiy; Kontsevoi, Gromyko, Simanenka; Melnichenko

Finland probable starting XI:

Hradecky; Stahl, T. Miettinen, S. Miettinen, Lahteenmaki; Kairinen, Markhiev, Walta; Svanback, Pohjanpalo, Hakans

Belarus has shown sufficient development under Goncharenko to suggest that Finland may not have a straightforward night in Budapest, although the visitors still possess more established match-winners in the attacking front, and it is expected they will ultimately find a way to score.