Already adrift in League B Group 3, Finland and the Republic of Ireland will both try to get up and running in the UEFA Nations League, when they play their third fixture on Thursday.

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There is already a six-point gap between the top two and the bottom two in Group 3, as England and Greece lead the way after both won twice last month, leaving Finland and the Republic of Ireland with a big task to avoid either direct demotion or a relegation playoff.

The Finns entered another season under the management of long-serving head coach Markku Kanerva, who led his nation to Euro 2020 and has since kept them afloat in the Nations League's second tier.

However, the Nordic nation suffered a major setback at the start of their third straight League B campaign, losing 3-0 in Greece while producing just one shot on target.

That was followed by a 2-0 defeat to England at Wembley Stadium, which left Kanerva's side propping up the four-team standings.

Each of Finland's last five away games has seen them ship at least two goals, so they will surely breathe a sigh of relief to be back on home soil, where a weekend clash with England follows Ireland's visit.

After failing to win any of their first five meetings with Thursday's opponents, the Finns have since won back-to-back games against their Irish counterparts - both by a 1-0 scoreline in the 2020-21 Nations League.

There is already a six-point gap between the top two and the bottom two in Group 3, as England and Greece lead the way after both won twice last month, leaving Finland and the Republic of Ireland with a big task to avoid either direct demotion or a relegation playoff.

The Finns entered another season under the management of long-serving head coach Markku Kanerva, who led his nation to Euro 2020 and has since kept them afloat in the Nations League's second tier.

However, the Nordic nation suffered a major setback at the start of their third straight League B campaign, losing 3-0 in Greece while producing just one shot on target.

That was followed by a 2-0 defeat to England at Wembley Stadium, which left Kanerva's side propping up the four-team standings.

Each of Finland's last five away games has seen them ship at least two goals, so they will surely breathe a sigh of relief to be back on home soil, where a weekend clash with England follows Ireland's visit.

After failing to win any of their first five meetings with Thursday's opponents, the Finns have since won back-to-back games against their Irish counterparts - both by a 1-0 scoreline in the 2020-21 Nations League.

Finland possible starting lineup:

Hradecky; Stahl, Hoskonen, Ivanov, Galvez; Peltola, Schuller; Jensen, Kamara, Antman; Pukki

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Ebosele, Collins, O'Shea, Brady; Molumby, Cullen, Knight; Ogbene, Idah, Szmodics