Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
England travel to Helsinki to face Finland at the Olympic Stadium this evening in the Nations League, with kick-off at 5pm BST.
The Three Lions enter the match off the back of a humbling 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last time out, and they now sit three points behind the Greeks in the League B Group 2 table at the halfway stage.
Finland enter the match bottom of the table, having gained no points across three games, and lost 2-1 to Ireland in Helsinki last week.
Interim England boss Lee Carsley is under scrutiny after his experimental, striker-less line-up against Greece failed miserably, so his selection will be scrutinised closely with Ollie Watkins a candidate to come in as a recognised No 9.
Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates below:
Lee Carsley wants to see reaction from England against Finland after Greece loss
Interim England boss Lee Carsley expects a reaction to the deflating defeat to Greece as he returns to a “more conventional” system against Finland.
The Euro 2024 runners-up’s hopes of securing promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League received a blow on Thursday as Greece secured a late, but thoroughly deserved, 2-1 victory at Wembley.
Boos met the final whistle after Carsley’s experimental approach backfired, with the decision to deploy five attackers without an out-and-out striker leaving them imbalanced and disjointed.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 14:15
I did not apply for England manager’s job, says Lee Carsley
Interim boss Lee Carsley has revealed he did not formally apply to become permanent England manager.
Carsley has frequently sidestepped questions about whether he wants to become England boss on a full-time basis, including saying he will “hopefully” be returning to his role with the under-21s.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 13:55
Is Finland v England on TV?
When is Finland v England?
The Nations League match takes place today, Sunday 13 October, with kick-off at 5pm BST at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
Finland v England will be broadcast live on ITV1 and STV in Scotland. Viewers can stream the match live via the ITVX app and website, and on the STV Player.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 13:40
Odds & prediction
England must react with a more convincing performance and Carsley will surely find a better balance in this match, with an orthodox striker like Ollie Watkins set to lead the line.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 13:30
Predicted line-ups
Finland: Hradecky; Stahl, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Galvez; Lod, Walta, Kamara, Schuller, Peltola; Pohjanpalo.
England: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Lewis; Gomes, Rice, Bellingham; Palmer, Watkins, Foden.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 13:25
Team news
England could be without Bukayo Saka after the Arsenal winger limped out of the defeat by Greece.
Harry Kane could come off the bench in Finland, but Carsley confirmed that the captain will not start the game after recently suffering a leg injury while playing for Bayern Munich.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 13:20
Finland vs England LIVE
But the trip to Helsinki offers the chance for a quick response.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 13:10
Finland vs England LIVE
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s Nations League match between England and Finland in Helsinki.
The Three Lions look to take three points against the side that sit bottom of their group as they bid to recover from the midweek loss against Greece.
We’ll have all the latest build-up and updates here.
Chris Wilson13 October 2024 13:01
