2009-06-09 13:51:06 -

HELSINKI (AP) - Finland needs a win Wednesday against Russia in its World Cup qualifier to keep its hope for at least a playoff spot as Group 4 runnerup alive.
It is a formidable task. Russia will probably field no less than nine of the 11 men who started the semi-final game against Spain in the Euro 2008 finals less than a year ago.
In Finland's previous qualifying campaign, for Euro 2008, Briton Roy Hodgson took the Finns close to qualifying for a big tournament for the first time, but a goalless draw away against Portugal ended that dream.
Now, Hodgson's much travelled countryman Stuart Baxter tries to go one step further.
Germany, runner up at Euro 2008, leads the group with 16 points from six games, ahead of Russia on 12 points and Finland wth 10, both of whom have played five games.
Russia, led by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, beat Finland 3-0 at home last October. Finland is ranked 49th by FIFA while Russia is ninth.
On Wednesday, in the sold-out Olympic Stadium (40,000 plus) Baxter's side must take more risks than the normally defensive-minded team is used to if it is to gain a crucial victory. Baxter will thus most probably field an offensive-minded line up, the same which beat minnow Liechtenstein 2-1 last Saturday.

Behind lone striker Mikael Forssell, veteran Jari Litmanen will likely be flanked by Jonatan Johansson and Alexei Jeremenko Jr.
Arsenal striker Andrei Arshavin is probably Russia's biggest goal threat.
«We have to stay close to the opponents and deny them space and time. That goes especially for Arshavin», Finland's centre back Hannu Tihinen said. «And we cannot allow dumb turn-overs in midfield».
Only suspended right back Aleksandr Anyukov will be absent for Russia. Igor Denisov, 25, a midfielder from Zenit St. Petersburg, is expected to replace him.