AC Oulu v HIFK
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Sunday 18th September – 3:00PM
These two sides meet again just a week after a 1-6 win for Oulu in Helsinki, a result that saw HIFK coach Mixu Paatelainen disappear from his post-match commitments. The gulf was so large, it seems almost cruel to make them play again so soon.
Rasmus Karjalainen’s brace probably puts him back in the shop window as he has returned to full fitness with a bang. While the side’s results have been poor since the summer, he has brought a star quality to the club and will hopefully return to the national team set-up in time. Otso Liimatta also bagged two goals and will also be eyeing a move abroad in the winter after being scouted by bigger Nordic clubs. It was a shame that poor paperwork saw them end up in the bottom six, but still an improvement in 2021.
The abject nature of HIFK’s season has been painful to watch, the performances have been dreadful, the leadership from the coaches and boardroom has been absent and only the supporters have kept it going. A nice goal from Maximus Tainio was the only spark in defeat while they picked up another suspension with Dean Klinkenberg missing out. Roman Eremenko has been missing from the last two matchday squads with no news on whether it is due to injury or some other reason. There are five games left and relegation could be virtually confirmed this weekend if other results go the other way – but in reality it has been looming since May.
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Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals, 1.67 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
HJK v SJK
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Sunday 18th September – 4:30PM KO
HJK needed a last minute winner against Honka last week to seal their place as leaders going into this Championship round. They face a SJK side in mixed form, but without the distractions of their opponents.
A historic trip to Italy on Thursday night saw HJK fall to Roma in the Europa League, an early red card turning a huge match into a training exercise for Jose Mourinho’s side who ran out 3-0 winners. HJK left everything on the pitch, their players shattered and learned a valuable lesson. Defender Arttu Hoskonen received his first Finland call-up this week after a good season and will be hoping to keep his place with the return from injury of veterans Paulus Arajuuri and Joona Toivio. Anthony Olusanya’s recent form has been excellent with three goals in four league games and will fancy a repeat of his fine individual effort against SJK last month.
SJK limped into the top six despite losing 2-0 to Mariehamn last week, Mehmet Hetemaj getting sent off after just eight minutes – he’s banned for this match as a result. Despite their poor start to the season, SJK have managed to do just enough to finish the season in this position but the inconsistency has been too much to get a run. Diego Rojas has signed a contract extension and needs to recapture the form that saw him score vital goals against KuPS and HIFK to put them in this position. Jake Jervis needs to step up and take the burden back.
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Prediction: HJK to Win, 1.47 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
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