The Matchday 2 clash of the 2025 World Junior Championship between Germany and Finland will take place on December 27 at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. Germany vs. Finland: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Germany
Encounters with their American counterparts have always been challenging for the German team. The last game was no exception, ending in a 4-10 defeat for Tobias Abstreiter's side. However, it is worth noting that Germany scored more than three goals against the USA for the first time at the World Junior Championship. Despite conceding 10 goals, goalie Nico Pertuch made 46 saves. Additionally, the team has been unable to secure a win in regular time for the past five matches at the World Junior Championship (1 draw, 4 losses).
- At least seven goals have been scored in 7 of Germany's last 8 matches in this tournament after 60 minutes.
- In 5 of the last 6 World Junior Championship games, Germany has scored at least two goals.
- At least three goals have been scored in the final third in 6 of Germany's last 8 matches at the World Junior Championship.
Finland
The match against the hosts and main favorites of the 2025 World Junior Championship ended unsuccessfully for Lauri Mikkola's side, with a 0-4 defeat. Interestingly, Finland's previous goalless game in this tournament was also against Canada in 2020. The team's activity cannot be denied, as they made 31 shots on target. Additionally, Finland has lost three consecutive games at the World Junior Championship.
- In the last 5 meetings with Germany at the World Junior Championship, Finland has not scored more than five goals in regular time.
- The team has conceded at least three goals in 60 minutes over five games in this tournament.
- In 7 of Finland's last 9 games at the World Junior Championship, no more than seven goals have been scored in regular time.
Germany vs. Finland: Match Prediction
Deja vu might haunt Finland before this match. In the previous World Junior Championship, Lauri Mikkola's team also started with a loss to Canada and seemed poised to redeem themselves against Germany on the second day, but they lost again. It's hard to imagine another upset, but Finland has weaknesses that Germany could exploit.
Finland's defensive play leaves much to be desired, which was evident even in the last tournament. In their last five World Junior Championship matches, the team has conceded 22 goals in regular time, and in 9 of the last 10 games, they have allowed at least three goals. Against Canada, Finland often lost the puck under pressure, so why shouldn't Germany take advantage of this?
Germany may be inferior to Finland in terms of class, but this might allow them to play without pressure for results, enjoying their game. In fact, Germany had a successful encounter against their upcoming opponent not too long ago. The team is known for decent scoring for their level, having scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 6 World Junior Championship matches. In the previous tournament, they even doubled this tally against Finland.
My prediction: Germany individual total over 1.5 goals