Image source, SNSCaroline Weir will lead Scotland out once again
Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa names an unchanged starting XI to the one that took the field in their last game, last month's 4-0 home win over Hungary.
Caroline Weir continues as captain in Rachel Corsie's absence.
Scotland: Cumings, Docherty, Howard, Kerr, Weir, Evans, Clark, Smith, Emslie, Thomas, Cuthbert.
Substitutes: Gibson, Fife, Mukandi, Clark, McGregor, Watson, Hanson, Hay, McLauchlan, Rodgers, Cornet, Napier.
Finland: Tamminen, Öling, Koivisto, Tynnilä, Siren, Kuikka, Lehtola, Sällström, Hartikainen, Summanen, Sevenius.
Substitutes: Koivunen, Korpela, Koivisto, Halttunen, Siren, Ahtinen, Alanen, Heroum, Kollanen, Franssi, Leskinen.
Image source, SNSMartha Thomas insists the previous heartache against Finland "adds fuel to our fire" as Scotland attempt to seal a place at Euro 2025.
Pedro Martinez Losa's side host the Finns in the play-off final at Easter Road tonight - live on BBC BBC Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app - before the return leg on Tuesday.
Scotland missed out on Euro 2021 after a 1-0 defeat by Finland four years ago.
"It adds fuel to our fire, to try and help us get there and not relive these summers where we're sat at home and not competing at these tournaments," said Tottenham forward Thomas.
"Every one of us knows we need to completely empty the tank. It's all about doing your job on the pitch, we need to make sure everyone is giving absolutely everything to get over the line.
"You need a squad full of a range of different things, experience, youth, talent, everything, and I think we've really got that here."
Scotland head into the play-off with plenty of momentum after seven straight wins, including a 5-0 aggregate victory over Hungary in the previous round.
"It's given us a huge confidence boost," added Thomas. "Any team in the play-offs is difficult to play against, so to score five and have clean sheets in both games was big for us and we can use that momentum to go into these two games.
"There's been a massive improvement, we've found a way to win, a way to score goals and a way to limit conceding goals and our results show that."
The number of women and girls who are members of football clubs in Scotland has increased by more than 16,500 since the Scotland Women's team last qualified for the European finals. (The Herald), external
Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSScotland manager Pedro Martinez-Losa has been speaking to the media before Friday's Euro 2025 play-off first leg against Finland.
Here are the key points:
Martinez-Losa says it's "impossible not to dream" of qualifying for the Euros. He adds that seeing the men reach Euro 2024 and the energy of the whole country inspires him to "try and replicate and maybe better" what they did. However, he knows he needs to also think "about one game at a time".
The team is "in the best position" in terms of results and culture off the pitch, with the Spaniard adding they are "focused" and "prepared".
He has no doubt this squad can compete in major finals. They are confident given recent results but Martinez-Losa believes they can go to another level.
These matches are "not like any other game". Scotland have a calm environment within the camp, although he acknowledges things will get more intense as kick-off nears.
Scotland have taken a lot from the Hungary games, not just the good moments. They need to be fully concentrated against Finland.
The manager says his players don't need to be reminded about past play-off failures, but he doesn't want a "what if" situation.
Image source, SNS"Togetherness has been key" to Scotland's progress under Pedro Martinez Losa, says defender Nicola Docherty.
The national side are preparing for a two-legged play-off with Finland, with the prize for the winner a place at Euro 2025 in Switzerland.
The first leg takes place at Easter Road on Friday (19:35 GMT) - live on BBC Scotland, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app - before the Scots travel to Finland on Tuesday.
"We're going into games with confidence but know they'll be difficult," Rangers left-back Docherty told the BBC's Women's Football Weekly.
"We need to earn the right to be at a major tournament and we really want to try and get on that flight there.
"There's more excitement, I don't think there's that much pressure. Togetherness has been key to where we are. We now just want to take that next step."
Scotland will be without captain Rachel Corsie for both legs and Sam Kerr says the Aston Villa defender is a "massive miss to our team".
But Bayern Munich midfielder Kerr says the group have been boosted by the return of Real Madrid's Caroline Weir.
"Caroline is one of the top players and a top leader as well," Kerr said.
And on Friday's first leg, she added: "We're in Scotland for the first game and it's an opportunity to make a mark. We're going to really push for a good result."
Image source, SNSScotland forward Kirsty Hanson says the current squad is the best she's ever played with as they prepare for a huge double header against Finland.
The Villa striker has stressed the Scots have the talent within their ranks to qualify for Euro 2025.
In order to do that, they need to beat Finland in a two-legged play-off the first match of which is at Easter Road on Friday night.
"The amount of goals we have scored and clean sheets we've had - that is in the past now," Hanson said.
"We need to focus on what’s coming.
"No matter what role you play the amount of talent we have in the squad and even those not in the squad it shows just how far we have come.
"We have a lot of young outstanding players and a lot of experience as well. You can tell whoever plays is going to do their job. It's an exciting team to be a part of at the moment.
"Everyone is from different leagues but even the Scottish league is getting better. You can see that from the number of players we have in the squad and how amazing they are doing.
"We all have different experiences and that's good to bring to the squad. Everyone has their own way of dealing with pressure and we are all in a really good place."
Image source, SNSForward Claire Emslie insists Scotland are full of confidence as they prepare for a two-legged Euro 2025 play-off against Finland.
Pedro Martinez Losa's side have won their last seven consecutive international games and just two more victories stand between them and their first tournament since the 2019 World Cup.
"It feels different to any other play-off we've had before as a team," Emslie told the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.
"The last couple of years we've really grown as a team and we see the experience in games, how people react to certain situations, there's almost like a calmness and a confidence that we know who we are, we know what we can do - it's just about executing now.
"The girls are brilliant, sometimes there's not a lot you can say it's just about getting on the pitch."
Scotland forward Claire Emslie, who plays for Los Angeles-based Angel City FC, reveals her jetlag struggles and how she had to be shaken awake by team-mate Caroline Weir and the team doctor after oversleeping on a previous trip.
Listen to the full interview on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast
Image source, SNSScotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa has been speaking to the media after naming his squad for the two-legged Euro 2025 play-off with Finland.
Here are the key lines:
The two players coming into the set-up, Celtic's Kelly Clark and Rangers' Chelsea Cornet, highlight Scotland's "competitive squad".
The Scotland boss says leading the nation to next summer's finals would be the "most important moment" of his managerial career.
He believes "this group is prepared and determined" to qualify for a major tournament.
But he acknowledges they are going to "face a very difficult opponent" in Finland.
He feels the squad have evolved over the years and they are now ready to take the next step by reaching Euro 2025.
Finland ended Scotland's hopes of reaching Euro 2022 in gut-wrenching fashion and Martinez Losa is aware "history can repeat unless you do things differently", but "the team are in a different moment now".
Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa is confident his side will defeat Finland over two legs in the upcoming play-off to secure a place at Euro 2025.
Former Scotland goalkeeper Gemma Fay has being drawn with "tasty opponents" Germany, Netherlands and Austria in Nations League A is a difficult draw but "good challenge" for Pedro Martinez Losa's side.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSAbi Harrison scored a 92nd-minute winner against Austria two years ago
Back among the heavyweights, Scotland have been drawn with a couple of big hitters on their return to Nations League A.
But with a spot at next summer's European Championships still in their sights, it's the sort of sides - Germany and Netherlands as well as Austria - the Scots will want to wrestle with.
In the last international window, when Scotland were competing in crucial play-offs, Germany were tormenting England in a friendly.
There wasn't many things friendly about it, certainly not the way in which the Germans rushed into a 3-0 lead and exposed England's weaknesses in defence.
All that sounds incredibly daunting given that fewer than 12 months ago, England ripped Scotland apart and annihilated them 6-0.
However, Sarina Weigman's side shed light on the Germans' weakness too, also in defence, so Scotland's on-form attack will need to remain just that come spring next year.
It doesn't get any easier with Netherlands, and the memories from back-to-back defeats to the Dutch last year are still fresh in the mind.
Particularly in Nijmegen, the classy Dutch were commanding and a level above. Remember, though, that was without any of Sam Kerr, Erin Cuthbert and Caroline Weir in the midfield.
Narrowing the gap from last year would be marked improvement against Andries Jonker's side, while giving the Germans a scare would be a shout. But the picking up of points will be looked to be done against Austria.
Two years ago, Scotland hosted Austria in the World Cup play-off semi-final. They were far from their best but managed to sneak through in extremely un-Scottish fashion, scoring a late winner.
Scotland have improved since then. Pedro Martinez Losa believes it, his players believe it, and the run of results they've racked up recently proves it.
Tougher tests than the ones they've faced this year await, but should Scotland get the job done against Finland in the coming weeks and book their spot in next summer's Euros, these Nations League games will act as the starter before the main meal in Switzerland.
Gully Singh
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSPedro Martinez Losa believes Scotland's 2025 Nations League group is the "second most difficult", but says his side "are ready to go" in the top tier again.
The Scots were promoted back to League A following an unbeaten Euro qualifying campaign this year.
They finished bottom of Group A1 in 2023 after drawing twice with Belgium and losing home and away to England and Netherlands.
Martinez Losa's side face the Dutch again, as well as Germany and Austria, with the group stage running from February to early June.
"We're very pleased to come back to League A," the head coach told BBC Scotland.
"Teams like Netherlands you always in theory want to avoid, but at the end you have to play against some of them.
"I don't think we got the worst - the most difficult group has England and Spain - but probably the second most difficult.
"In terms of having to compete against Germany and Netherlands, we already know them well and also Austria is a very competitive team, so I'm excited in one part.
"We’re ready to go and celebrate the women's game with the fans and challenge ourselves, which is what it is about, but also respecting the opponent and thinking that it's going to be difficult for us. But we will be prepared."
Image source, SNSFormer Scotland defender Jen Beattie says Pedro Martinez Losa's side are "beyond ready" for a major tournament.
The 5-0 aggregate win over Hungary secured a place in the Euro 2025 play-off final against Finland next month.
Victory in that two-legged tie would book Scotland's spot in Switzerland next summer, ensuring their first appearance at a major tournament since the 2019 World Cup.
Beattie, who retired from Scotland duty last year after 143 cap, told the BBC's Football Daily podcast: "I was really quietly confident about these two games [against Hungary].
"I was going into them thinking there is no way we're not going to get to the play-off finals.
"But to see the goals and the finishing from so many players, that was really awesome.
"It was an unbelievable performance from Scotland. I hope they have come away from it with a lot of confidence going into the final against Finland because we know how much of a tough side they are.
"Five goals and a clean sheet across two games is a brilliant place to be in.
"I know how much making a major tournament means to the players. They seem in a place now where they are beyond ready for it."
We asked for your views on Scotland's 4-0 win against Hungary that completed a 5-0 aggregate victory and set up a play-off against Finland for a place at Euro 2025.
Here's what some of you said:
Martyn: Good win against limited opposition. I'm guessing the Finland match will be tougher. Need to sharpen up if they are going to play the passing game from the back. Too slow and not decisive enough when passing and moving. Created good chances though and scoring four for no loss is a positive outcome.
Katie: Brilliant game, a lot of mixed play, confidence and positive play going forward to tougher opponents. Looking forward to taking all of that into upcoming Finland games!
John: Pedro Martinez, like Steve Clarke, should utilise their squads and try and protect the playing staff. Time and time again they pick the same players over and over and then scratch their heads when players get injured. Rotate the squads, use all the players in each camp over both games, there could be hidden gems sitting warming the benches.
Anon: Individually the players were excellent against weak opposition, Erin Cuthbert was the best player on the park by a mile. Four nil should really have been 8-0. Tactically we were very poor, too many sideways and backwards passes, too slow to get the ball forward. We are not Barcelona so a good side will punish us if we persist with short passes in our box under pressure.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road
Image source, Getty ImagesLisa Evans says Scotland are "a different team" to the one who suffered play-off heartache two years ago as they edged closer to Euro 2025.
The right winger, who was outstanding in the 4-0 win over Hungary at Easter Road on Tuesday night, is keen to look forward to next month's crunch tie against Finland rather than dwell on the defeats to the Republic of Ireland and the Finns which have proved costly in the past.
"We know the pain that we've suffered, I don't want to talk about it too much because we are a different team," Evans told BBC Scotland.
"It was a really great performance. Great goals, great to have players back and we're just looking forward to the next game now."
Evans played slightly further forward - a familiar place - than her starting position in Budapest on Friday, and it was a masterstroke from Pedro Martinez Losa.
Her runs, crosses and press were pivotal and had Hungary scrambling.
She linked up well with right-back Kirsty Smith time and again, as well as Scotland's superstar midfield.
"We have some of the best players in the world [in our midfield]," she added. "We just try and get them on the ball as much as possible.
"We now have two cup finals, two massive games to get us to the Euros."
Injured Scotland captain Rachel Corsie and former midfielder Leanne Crichton react to Erin Cuthbert's goal in the 4-0 win over Hungary on Tuesday night on the BBC's Behind the Goals podcast.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Easter Road
Image source, SNSNicola Docherty hugs Sam Kerr after Scotland's win against Hungary at Easter Road
"Excellent" Scotland have rediscovered their "winning mentality" after a difficult 2023, says left-back Nicola Docherty.
The Scots suffered four defeats in six League A matches of their Nations League campaign last year, but have bounced back with an unbeaten qualifying campaign so far in pursuit of next summer's Euro finals.
Now Pedro Martinez Losa's side are just two games - a play-off with Finland - away from reaching a major tournament for the first time since 2019.
"We're finding the way to win with that winning mentality," Docherty told BBC Scotland after the 4-0 win over Hungary at Easter Road completed a 5-0 aggregate victory.
The Rangers defender added: "We've really started to believe in ourselves more after the disappointments of the last campaign.
"We've kicked on and want to make sure those moments don't happen again. There's a lot of belief in the dressing room now."
Scotland's confidence and belief was evident as they blitzed Hungary in impressive fashion.
"We controlled the game, we limited them to very little chances and controlled possession," the Rangers captain added.
"We played some exciting football and that's what we want to bring to the fans. It was certainly a better performance than last week.
"Credit to the girls, I thought everyone was excellent tonight."
