Prediction: Poland vs Finland

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Poland and Finland meet under the lights at Stadion Slaski on Sunday, with both nations eager to strengthen their bids for World Cup 2026 qualification in what is already shaping up to be a tightly-contested group.

The hosts arrive with confidence after earning a respectable point away to the Netherlands in midweek, while Finland tuned up for this pivotal clash with a low-pressure friendly, ensuring Janne Andersson’s men are fresh for the task ahead.

Poland

After a nightmare 2024 that saw them suffer five consecutive defeats and tumble out of the UEFA Nations League’s top tier, Poland’s 2025 mission is clear: return to the World Cup and reassert their place among Europe’s elite.

Thursday’s trip to Rotterdam provided a valuable test of those credentials, and the White and Reds rose to the occasion, taking a battling point against the Netherlands thanks to Matty Cash’s second-half strike. That result leaves Poland firmly in the Group G mix, level on points with both Oranje and Sunday’s opponents Finland, underlining just how tight the race is at the summit.

While Robert Lewandowski remains the talisman, it is Panathinaikos striker Karol Swiderski who leads the way in qualifying with two goals so far, proving a vital foil to the Barcelona icon.

New boss Jan Urban made an encouraging start with the draw in the Netherlands and now takes charge of his first home match, where Poland boast three straight wins without conceding.

Team News

Lewandowski, withdrawn just after the hour in Rotterdam, should be fresh to lead the line again, and Urban is unlikely to tinker much after such a promising debut outing, meaning Swiderski and veteran Kamil Grosicki may again have to settle for places on the bench.

Finland

After sampling the big stage for the first time at Euro 2020, Finland now dream of taking the next step by reaching their maiden World Cup in 2026.

On the back of a dreadful 2024 Nations League campaign where they lost all six games to England, Greece and the Republic of Ireland, expectations were low, but Jacob Friis’s side have impressed in Group G. Defeat has only come against favourites the Netherlands, leaving Huuhkajat level on points with both Oranje and upcoming rivals Poland as the group reaches a crucial stage.

While others were chasing qualification points midweek, Finland warmed up with a friendly in Oslo, where Erling Haaland’s penalty handed Norway a narrow victory. Even so, their focus is fixed on repeating June’s success over Poland, when Joel Pohjanpalo and Benjamin Kallman fired them to a statement win.

Team News

Friis is unlikely to deviate much from that victorious formula. Rangers winger Oliver Antman should keep his spot, with ex-Ibrox midfielder Glen Kamara again dictating play in midfield. Kallman, who made the difference off the bench in the reverse fixture, is pushing for a start as Finland aim to take another significant step toward qualification.

Conclusion

After collecting a valuable point in Rotterdam on Thursday, Poland ought to approach Sunday’s contest with confidence that they can go one better and defeat Finland.

Huuhkajat have made a strong impression in this qualifying cycle, but Jan Urban’s men may have the edge here, and this could be the occasion where Finland’s World Cup aspirations take a small setback.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet