Finland vs England predicted lineups and team news | OneFootball

Finland are hosting Group B2 rivals England in the Nations League on Sunday with both teams aiming to bounce back from Thursday defeats.

The Finns welcome the Three Lions to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium and the game kicks off at 5.00pm with live coverage on ITV1.

Carsley facing big test

England Interim manager Lee Carsley is three games into a minimum six-game spell as Gareth Southgate’s successor and is already coming under some pressure after presiding over Thursday’s dismal 2-1 loss at home to Greece.

Carsley opted for an experimental line-up against the Greeks, but his team produced a largely disjointed performance which allowed a well-organised and highly motivated Greece side to run out worthy winners.

The result leaves England struggling to achieve their main aim of promotion to League A and raises questions over Carsley’s suitability to land the job on a more permanent basis

Just one month ago England’s former Under-21s manager was receiving high praise after his team started the campaign with a pair of 2-0 victories away to Ireland and at home to Finland.

Jude Bellingham was unavailable for those games and his return to the side in a more advanced position was among the tactical tweaks which Carsley got wrong in the midweek match.

Carsley’s instinct is to be bold with his selections but he can ill-afford another sub-standard display and it will be fascinating to see what he comes up with for the trip to Helsinki, which looks like a must-win in terms of England’s challenge for top spot.

Finland v England Team News

While Carsley is one of the new kids on the block in terms of international management, Finnish head coach Markku Kanerva is preparing for his 82nd game at the helm.

By leading the Finns to Euro 2020, Kanerva became the first Finland head coach to qualify them for a major tournament.

But expectations have risen and Kanerva is under some pressure with Finland sat at the foot of Nations League Group B2 with no points from three games.

Kanerva has most of his key players available and is expected to stick with lone striker Joel Pohjanpalo, who scored the opening goal of Thursday’s 2-1 loss at home to Ireland.

He is perhaps more likely to consider defensive changes and might be pondering a recall for experienced Charlotte FC full-back Jere Uronen in the place of 19-year-old LASK defender Tomas Galvez.

England are more likely to make substantial alterations including the deployment of a natural centre-forward.

Harry Kane was not deemed fit enough to feature against the Greeks, but he is likely to be in competition with Ollie Watkins for a starting berth.

Bellingham could be shuffled back to a deeper position and there should be some changes at the back, with Kyle Walker and Marc Guehi in line for recalls.

Bukayo Saka limped off in the second half against Greece and his position on the right flank could go to Chelsea’s Noni Madueke.

Finland v England Predicted XIs

Finland (4-2-3-1): Hradecky; Stahl, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Galvez; Walta, Schuller; Lod, Kamara, Keskinen; Pohjanpalo.

England (4-1-4-1): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Stones, Colwill; Rice; Madueke, Gallagher, Bellingham, Palmer; Kane.