Finland vs Russia: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
By Harry Symeou
Finland played their first-ever game in a major finals at the weekend, managing a historic 1-0 win over Denmark thanks to Joel Pohjanpalo's header.
The occasion became insignificant in the latter stages of the first half when Christian Eriksen collapsed. The Dane, who is now in a stable condition, received life-saving treatment on the field in Copenhagen and has since been recovering in hospital.
The severity of the incident involving Eriksen has seen Finland's landmark achievement slip under the radar and they go into the fixture versus Russia later this week with a three point lead over Stanislav Cherchesov's side.
To say the Russians were poor against Belgium in St Petersburg is putting it kindly and they must improve substantially if they're to stand any chance of progressing through to the knockout stage.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of Finland vs Russia.
What TV channel is Finland vs Russia on?
When is kick-off? Wednesday 16 June, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? St Petersburg Stadium
What TV channel is it on? BBC One (UK)
Who is the referee? Danny Makkiele
Who's on VAR duty? Pol van Boekel
Finland team news
Nikolai Alho is a doubt for Finland with a sprained ankle. Jukka Raitala had to come off late vs Denmark and so Leo Vaisanen may be forced to deputise at right-back for this one.
Markku Kanerva is expected to try, where possible and stick to the same side that earned all three points in Saturday's opener.
Russia team news
Russia are likely to be without veteran defender Yuri Zhirkov who went off with a calf injury during the defeat to Belgium. Daler Kuzyaev is also a doubt after a clash of heads with Timothy Castagne.
Cherchesov will still be without Andrey Mostovoy after he tested positive for coronavirus but Aleksey Miranchuk could return to the Russian forward line.
Predicted lineups
Finland: Hradecky; Vaisanen, Arajuuri, O'Shaughnessy, Toivio, Uronen; Kamara, Sparv, Lod; Pohjanpalo, Pukki
Russia: Shunin; Dzhikiya, Semenov, Barinov; Fernandes, Zobnin, Ozdoev, Karavaev; Miranchuk, Golovin; Dzyuba
Finland vs Russia prediction
The Russians are in desperate need of all three points and after performing so poorly in their opener, they can't possibly play that badly again. Finland took advantage of a distracted Denmark side in Copenhagen following events at the end of the first half but nevertheless, it can't have been easy to continue for them either.
With the game being staged in St Petersburg, the home advantage will certainly be with Russia. Taking that into account along with their greater need for the three points it's difficult to see past a win for the hosts.
Prediction: Finland 0-1 Russia