Quarterfinal match of the 2025 World Junior Championship between Finland and Slovakia will take place on January 3 at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa. Finland vs. Slovakia: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Finland National Team
The Finns collected eight points during the group stage, finishing second in their group, two points behind the Americans. Out of the four matches played in this World Junior Championship, the team lost only to Canada (0-4). Notably, Finland is one of the most reliable teams in this tournament, conceding only 8 goals, with fewer goals scored only against the Canadians. Jesse Kiiskinen (3+0) and Konsta Helenius (0+3) each earned three points for Finland. It's worth mentioning that Finland did not reach the podium in the previous two World Junior Championships.
- No more than four goals were scored in regulation time in 3 of Finland's 4 matches in this World Junior Championship.
- The team has not won by more than two goals after three periods in 6 of their last 8 games in this tournament.
- Finland scored no more than three goals in regulation time in 6 of their last 7 World Junior Championship matches.
Slovakia National Team
Slovakia finished third in their group at the end of the group stage. The team secured just one victory in regulation time and also defeated Kazakhstan in overtime. Slovakia will play in the World Junior Championship playoffs for the third consecutive time, with their last medal win in 2015. The team's leader in this World Junior Championship is Dalibor Dvorsky, who has accumulated seven points in four matches (4+3).
- At least six goals were scored in regulation time in 6 of Slovakia's last 7 World Junior Championship matches.
- The team scored at least two goals in 60 minutes in 16 previous games in this tournament.
- Slovakia scored in the first period in 7 of their last 8 World Junior Championship matches.
Finland vs. Slovakia: Match Prediction
The Finns did not leave a strong impression during the group stage only due to their relatively low scoring efficiency. However, it's undeniable that the team played with quality and reliability, with minimal breakdowns. There are few doubts about Finland's ability to advance past the quarterfinal stage. Slovakia scores few goals but concedes quite a few, and even against Kazakhstan, a team they should not have struggled against, they lost a point, winning only in overtime.
In my opinion, Finland was fortunate with their opponent at this stage. With a more systematic approach than Slovakia, Finland should win and advance comfortably. In 7 of the last 8 head-to-head World Junior Championship meetings, Finland won with a margin of at least three goals. Last year, the teams also met in the quarterfinals, and Finland won only beyond regular time. Nevertheless, I don't think Finland will struggle in the upcoming match; they should win with at least a couple of goals advantage.
My prediction: Finland with a handicap (-2)
Rimpinen Petteri
Saarinen Kim
Vali Noa
Aron Kiviharju
Arttu Tuhkala
Daniel Nieminen
Emil Pieniniemi
Sebastian Soini
Arttu Alasiurua
Benjamin Rautiainen
Emil Hemming
Heikki Ruohonen
Jesse Nurmi
Joona Saarelainen
Julius Miettinen
Konsta Helenius
Topias Hynninen
Alan Lendak
Michal Pradel
Samuel Urban
Jakub Chromiak
Luka Radivojevič
Maxim Štrbák
Milan Pišoja
Peter Valent
Richard Baran
Samuel Barcik
Tomas Kralovic
Adam Cedzo
Dalibor Dvorský
Daniel Alexander Jenčko
Frantisek Dej
Jan Chovan
Juraj Pekarčík
Lukas Klecka
Matus Vojtech
Miroslav Satan
Tobias Pitka
Tobias Tomik
