HJK-KuPS Thursday 12.00 CET
Only a club friendly, but as there is not much else today and because it will be widely open in Asian books a few words about the match. They met at HJK a few weeks back in the League Cup, and HJK won 4-3 after a carelessly lazy defensive performance. I took HJK -1.25 pre-game (and also in live betting a couple of times) then and must say it was a good call, just did not materialize as HJK let KuPS score freely.
They were 1st and 2nd of the league in 2010, for HJK it is no wonder but KuPS have been a relegation candidate – and a relegated/promoted club – for a long time and the 2nd place was warmly welcomed in Kuopio.
What has changed then since the last match? No line-up info is out and probably will not be published nowhere at no time, but KuPS were missing key striker Ilja Venäläinen and a few regular starters in the defence, HJK were in full-squad with an additional Jari Litmanen and they do have a large squad to choose from also today. KuPS have signed a (ex-HJK) center-back Pyry Kärkkäinen since then and also star striker Dickson Nwakaeme will return to the club, though he is probably not around today. All in all KuPS should be a lot stronger today compared to last meeting and at least in pre-game no big handicaps for HJK do not interest at all. Correct line should perhaps be at -0.75, but it all depends on the players available and starting the game. The match will take place in a training ground nearby HJK´s regular stadium as it is under renovation and at this time of the day there is no public expected, I do probably know most of the spectators personally and naturally I will be there myself. SMS-pilot project will go on, and if it works out as planned it will be offered later when the season starts.
KuPS have a Finnish Cup 6th round match on Sunday away vs 3rd div EIF and it getting eliminated would be a shock, HJK will not start the cup until the 7th round when they meet the winner of SJK – KooTeePee match away.
The Finnish Cup 6th round is played around this weekend. Draw for the 7th round has also already been made, but more talk about the Cup on Friday´s Newsletter (afternoon). The schedule in the table below. Inter - Haka tomorrow.
| Date | +2 gmt | Venue | Home | Away |
| 10.04.11 | 13.30 | Braku | LPS | IFK Mariehamn |
| 09.04.11 | 18.15 | Vehka | ViPa | FF Jaro |
| 10.04.11 | 15.00 | Karjaa | EIF | KuPS |
| 13.04.11 | 17:00 | Lehtimäki | MYPA | AC Oulu |
| 09.04.11 | 13.00 | ISS | PK-35 /VJS | FC Hämeenlinna |
| 12.04.11 | 18.30 | Yläkenttä | TPS | VPS |
| 09.04.11 | 14.00 | tn | JIPPO | JBK |
| 13.04.11 | 17.00 | Kisapuisto | FC Lahti | FC Espoo |
| 08.04.11 | 18.00 | Yläkenttä | FC Inter | FC Haka |
| 09.04.11 | 20.00 | Ogeli | Gnistan | Sudet |
| 10.04.11 | 13.30 | Wallsport | SJK | KooTeePee |
| 09.04.11 | 15.30 | Kipparihalli | GBK | MaPS |
The league license committee will meet today to discuss the destiny of Tampere United, and also AC Oulu still seem to dream about keeping their license and taking part in the league of 2011. A few facts and dates:
- The plan for 2011 league was to have 14 clubs to play 2 x 13 matches, 26 rounds in total
- Since then AC Oulu has been denied the license because of economical reasons and other administrational stuff and they are added into 1st div schedule (Ykkönen)
- They have been trying to gain back their place and though it is official they are out they do not believe it – but nothing is certain here when the local FA starts making ”decisions”
- Tampere United – TamU – might be financially that much challenged that they will be denied the license
- The league will kick off April 28th according to the original plan, but first the FA and the League will have to decide which clubs will be playing in it, and if they decide to drop TamU they might also have to create a new schedule, maybe 3 x 11 matches?
- RoPS were also under consideration because of the big number of players they had in the club who were manipulating match results, but as it was not seen as the club´s fault and the players are fired the matter is solved now, though RoPS have a new team to build as they fired 9 players of their starting line-up
Talk to you tomorrow afternoon, and SMS-live insight to follow today for the Pilot project participants. Have a nice day!
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