LiontipsFinland vs USA. Prediction and Betting Tips for IIHF World Championship (May 22, 2021).
Command Analysis
Finland are the reigning champion. Back in 2019, despite not having a very strong squad, the Finnish team managed to win, beating Canada in the final with a score of 3:1. The Finns are ranked second in the group B and they should get into the playoffs from it.
Suomi again cannot boast of a truly strong lineup this year. Only the experienced NHL defenceman Olli Määttä, who plays for Los Angeles, got into the national team. Juho Olkinuora will most likely tend the goal because he looked better than all other goalies in the KHL.
The USA are not very serious about the World Championship, and traditionally they bring the weaker roster to the championship. There are some players from the NHL, but we cannot say that those are key players in their clubs. Also, there are some AHL players among the defenders - from the second most important League in the West.
But everyone knows very well that the Americans, even with a weaker squad, can create problems for any opponent. Last time they made it to the playoffs but were knocked out by Russia in the first round with a score of 3:4. We should mention that the USA did not play any friendlies before the start of the championship.
Trends
Ставка1st period: total over 1.5
In five straight games of the United States, more than one goal was scored in the first period.
Ставка2nd period: Finland to score
In their last three games against the United States, the Finns scored in the second period.
Tip and bets
We think that Finland have more chances to succeed in the upcoming confrontation. The Finns, unlike their rival, played in the Euro tour, which prepared them for the Championship, and the Americans had not played official games for a very long time. In addition, the US have a rather weak lineup, which, in our opinion, loses to Suomi in almost all regards.
Our prediction is Finland to win
The games between these national teams at the World Championships are usually low-scoring because the Finns are almost always very disciplined in defense. Most likely, this game won't be an exception and the teams will score less than five goals.
Second wager - total under 5.5 goals
