Preview: Norway vs Finland - prediction, team news, lineups

Norway and Finland will come together for an international friendly match on Thursday evening, ahead of returning to FIFA World Cup qualifying action later in the week.

The hosts are in superb form heading into the meeting, with six consecutive wins, while the visitors have won only two of their last 12 games.

Match preview

Norway have been in exceptional form over the past year, only losing one of their last 10 matches since the September 2024 international break.

Stale Solbakken's side drew 0-0 with Kazakhstan in their first fixture in the September 2024 international break, and they have since won eight times and lost just once.

That includes a superb run of six consecutive victories heading into the September 2025 international break, with four of those coming in the World Cup qualifiers.

Norway have defeated Moldova (5-0), Israel (4-2), Italy (3-0) and Estonia (1-0), leaving them comfortably top of Group I with 12 points from four games - six points ahead of second-placed Israel, though the runners-up do have a game in hand still to play.

Solbakken will be hoping his side can continue their winning streak against Finland, before looking to ensure their first-placed finish and World Cup qualification in their final four Group I games, starting with a clash against Moldova later this week.

The hosts are certainly the favourites to secure the victory on Thursday evening, with Finland heading into the clash having struggled in recent games.

Finland have managed only two wins from their last 12 matches across all competitions, including a particularly miserable run of six consecutive defeats between September and November 2024 as they finished rock bottom of UEFA Nations League league B Group 2.

Jacob Friis was hired following that disastrous streak, and the new manager has certainly made a positive impact in Finland's most recent games.

Friis's side instantly snapped their losing run with a 1-0 win over Malta in his first game in charge, and they have followed that up with one win, one draw and one defeat in the next three games.

Those results all came in Group G of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, leaving Finland top of the standings with seven points from four outings, though they are just one point above Netherlands and Poland - who have each played fewer matches.

Finland's results under the new boss will certainly boost their confidence heading into this fixture, but they do still have an unfavourable record against Norway, losing two and drawing one of their last three meetings.

Norway form (all competitions):

Finland form (all competitions):

Team News

Norway captain Martin Odegaard was a doubt to be named in the squad after coming off in Arsenal's match against Manchester United with an injury, but the midfielder came off the bench against Liverpool and has joined the national team.

Jorgen Strand Larsen had initially been named in the squad, but injury has ruled him out, with Aune Selland Heggebo receiving his first national team call-up as a replacement.

Erling Haaland is still expected to lead the line for Norway, likely to start alongside Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth in attack, while the rest of the side that has featured in recent games is also anticipated to feature.

As for Finland, several fresh faces have been called up for the September matches, with Adam Markhiev and Oiva Jukkola being included in the squad for the first time.

Joel Pohjanpalo has scored two of Finland's five goals during the World Cup qualifiers, and the striker is anticipated to start here.

Norway possible starting lineup:

Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby; Sorloth, Haaland, Nusa

Finland possible starting lineup:

Hradecky; Peltola, Hoskonen, Tenho; Jensen, Kairinen, Kamara, Uronen; Lod, Pohjanpalo, Antman