KPV – JJK preview, Veikkausliiga play-off
10-21 14:30 KPV vs JJK Jyvaskyla +(0) 2.11 1.82
The play-offs between the 13th of Veikkausliiga JJK and 2nd of First Division(Ykkönen) KPV decide who is playing in the Veikkausliiga 2010. The play-off is two legged and will be decided by away goals and extra time and penalties in the second leg if needed, the first match is played at Kokkola on Wednesday at 14.30 CET.
KPV from Kokkola had outstanding last five rounds and won all of the matches thus beating Viikingit at the race for the runner-up place by one single point. The decisive goal in the last match against TP-47 came during the last minutes and over all KPV showed to be very strong both mentally and physically.
17.10.09 Ykkönen KPV vs. TP-47 3:2
10.10.09 Ykkönen Klubi 04 vs. KPV 1:2
04.10.09 Ykkönen KPV vs. FC Kiisto 3:2
26.09.09 Ykkönen FC PoPa vs. KPV 0:1
20.09.09 Ykkönen KPV vs. FC KooTeePee 2:0
KPV possess no big stars in the club but several players have a lot of experience and leadership, the strongest areas for KPV are their defense and set pieces. KPV have no injuries or suspensions ahead of this interesting play-off with big stakes, last time KPV played in the league already 19 years ago and the desire to get promoted is high within the club and in the city.
KPV was perhaps not the best or even second best team at Ykkönen, but as the other big favourite for promotion Viikingit from Helsinki slipped up and lost two of their three last matches KPV were offered a chance, which they happily took. The City of Kokkola need to improve the stadium if KPV win and get promoted as it does not meet the requirements for the league license, but the club has been given green light in their hopes of stepping up.
JJK last win was 2.8.2009 2-4 away at Haka, 12 rounds ago, and it has often been the case in the play-offs that the team from Ykkönen has the mental advantage as they are used to win games instead of being all the time on the losing end and being afraid of mistakes. JJK were given a lifeline to stay up, and they used their last chance very well, after having lost 8 games in a row they needed to snatch a point at their last match against Tampere United at home, and they got it by a 2-2 draw after an exciting game. At the same time RoPS from Rovaniemi won their last match against KuPS 1-0 and ended up in equal points, but because the goal-difference of JJK was superior by a margin they are still fighting for the survival and RoPS got relegated right away. Just as they fully deserved.
Last season was an exception in the play-offs and the team from Veikkausliiga kept their place in the top, it was KuPS vs. Viikingit then, but now with JJK meeting KPV it is totally different affair. The previous promoted teams of last seasons are JJK, Viikingit, VPS, KuPS, RoPS and FC Honka. The winner of Ykkönen who earned the promotion already this year are AC Oulu.
The local bookmaker has set the odds at evens for the first encounter, but over all JJK are a slight favourite to stay up. It is very likely that there is still everything to play for in the second leg on Sunday at 13.00 CET and the team that keep better control of their nerves will win, as quality-wise there is not much difference between the teams.
Both teams have full squads to choose from.
No bet from me for the first leg, though the KPV 0 could be a value bet. I will follow this live and see what I can find for the decisive second leg on Sunday. Expecting a cautious game, but none of these really deserve a place in the Veikkausliiga.
Before the season KPV winning the Ykkönen gave 12.00 at Nordicbet, the favourites were AC Oulu at 2.20
A lot of mistakes for both sides and KPV goalie had a bad day.
VastaaPoistaFt 2-3, but
It is not over until the fat lady sings, and she is due on Sunday at 13.00 CET.