Nice to get finally some matches in which both teams are fully motivated. The winners go to the semifinals which are played 7th April and the losers need to organize another friendly or two before the season starts. The kick-off times are again a bit early, do not get fooled by them. All times CET. If the FT result is a draw after 90 minutes the match will be decided right away by penalty kicks. No extra time.
HJK - FF Jaro at 16.00
First match of the season at Finnair Stadium and first home match of HJK this season outdoors. A couple of months ago HJK looked ready for the season, they produced good results in the friendlies and in the League Cup and introducing young talents into the squad seemed to be working. HJK material is and was a bit thin however, and the injuries of important central def. Matias Lindström and striker Akseli Pelvas along with long-term injured Jarno Parikka, Janne Saarinen and Sebastian Sorsa (?) have forced HJK to sign new players from abroad. Djurgården IF central def Peter Magnusson will start already tomorrow vs Jaro, and a Dutch striker from Fulham reserves is also on his way.
Jaro on the other hand had been doomed for relegation as they always are in the season previews and several players left the club after last season. The manager Alexei Eremenko Sr. has done excellent job with low-profile players, and the stunt of loaning his son Alexei Eremenko Jr and another player (Ivory Coast player Zézé) from Ukrainian club Metallist Harkov might do the trick of survival. They do have a lot of talent in Sebastian Mannström as well, and the new recruit Maksim Vasiljev from Russia as a central defender seems to be an impressive figure. Not all the starting eleven players are really up to Veikkausliiga standards, and if HJK find and make use of Jaro´s weaknesses Jaro will struggle big time.
The key in this match is again how HJK attack works, or does it? Dawda Bah on the left wing is the key man and in the absence(?) of Sorsa also pretty much the only fast and creative player in the line-up. Another question is who is going to score the goals, the only 1st team striker available is Juho Mäkelä and while he is fully capable of scoring if properly served he has also the tendency of being the invisible man. Zacharias Kibona might be the other option and he is a promising fellow, but unexperienced on this level. HJK are the favourites, but if they win it is not going to be as easy as the bookies will let us believe. Last week HJK faced FC Lahti and lost 4-1 when the had chosen to leave some important players (Bah and Medo) out of the starting line-up. Not even the mighty HJK can afford to do that.
No bets yet. Home favourite
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JJK – TPS at 16.00
JJK made TPS´ life difficult already last season with a much weaker side and this is not going to be a stroll in park either for the club from Turku. TPS striker Babatunde Wusu returns to Jyväskylä and will get a warm welcome. In the last round TPS took an easy 0-3 away win at MyPa by three goals of young Roope Riski, but it was again a shortcoming from the hosts side and nothing like that is to be expected tomorrow. JJK travelled to meet KuPS lasti time around, but as they had no need for points they fielded a semi-reserve side and lost 2-1, their eyes were set on this match already. Both teams have their chances in this match, but more accurate info is needed.
No bets yet. Even.
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VPS - FC Inter at 16.30
On paper this match is the least likely to produce any goals even with the best possible line-ups, but Inter´s Timo Furuholm is sidelined and his absence is crucial as there are no other goal-hungry strikers in the club, a problem that should had been solved ages ago. Grot scores every now and then but I would not count on that and this particular match might end with the same scoreline it started as the hosts have no strikers either that would cause any fear.
No bets yet. Underish. Even.
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AC Oulu - FC Honka at 17.00
The home advantage evens up the set-up for this match, but if we take a look at the projected final standings of the teams there is only one favourite here, FC Honka.
Oulu have done well, and the fact that I have not seen them play since the end of last season when they were still at Ykkönen bothers me a bit. However, the fact that they are pretty much unchanged has worked in their favour in the pre-season and in the League Cup particularly and they have made a good use of their indoor home advantage, but on the other hand the profile of the team is pretty much one of an Ykkönen side, most players have very little experience on this level, apart from seasoned professional Mika Nurmela.
Honka is one of the favourites and most entertaining club in the league, but they are not that extraordinary away from home, and even if they are capable of scoring at will they also need Hermanni Vuorinen on the pitch, he did not play vs. Inter (0-0) because of a minor knock.
No bets yet. Goals to be expected.
More tomorrow afternoon for the Newsletter readers, enjoy your Champions League night! The easiest way to keep in touch with betting action in Finland is to subscribe the Newsletter from puntteri@gmail.com
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