Finland U20 vs Latvia U20: prediction & betting odds December 28, 2025

The meeting of matchday 3 of the 2026 World Junior Championship between the national teams of Finland and Latvia will take place on December 29 at 3M Arena Mariucci in Minneapolis. Finland vs Latvia: prediction, betting odds and statistics.

Finland

Finland beat Denmark 6:2 in their opening match. The most productive player was Roope Vesterinen, who scored a brace. The home side statistically outperformed their Danish opponents, recording four times more shots on goal (43). They also converted both of their power-play opportunities. Strong scoring and defensive play allowed Finland to top the group stage table, even ahead of Canada.

• Finland won 6 of their previous 7 matches at the World Junior Championship (1 in overtime).
• Finland scored at least three goals in regulation time in their last 7 WJC games.
• No more than five goals were scored in 5 of the last 6 previous matches between Finland and Latvia in this tournament.

Latvia

Latvia lost to Canada 1:2 in overtime. The only goal against Canada was scored by Rudolfs Berzkalns. It is worth noting the performance of Nils Maurinsh, who saved 35 shots on goal. The Canadian side also had to block 22 of Latvia's attempts. Thanks to that hard-fought contest, Latvia earned a point and remain fourth in the group stage table.

• Latvia failed to score more than two goals in their last seven WJC matches.
• The team has not won in regulation time in their last 6 tournament matches (3 draws, 3 losses).
• Latvia conceded at least 3 goals in 9 of their previous 11 World Junior Championship matches.

Finland vs Latvia: Match Prediction

Latvia are the underdogs for the upcoming match, but they are unlikely to lose to Finland by more than three goals.

In the previous match Finland beat Denmark by four goals, but looking at the broader statistics, in 7 of Finland's last 8 WJC games the goal difference was not greater than three. As for head-to-head meetings in the World Junior Championship, in 4 of the last 6 matches Finland failed to achieve a lead of four goals or more.

Latvia, for their part, have not lost by more than three goals in 6 of their last 8 WJC matches. Most often the Latvia side loses by only 1-2 goals. It is also worth recalling that Latvia focused on the goalkeeper position and the defensive line in their tournament preparations. It is likely that the players will play more defensively, and therefore will not concede more than three times.

Prediction: Latvia (+3.5)