Honka v FC Lahti
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Friday 15th July – 4:00PM KO
Honka come into this game needing a win to get their unlikely title challenge back on track after a surprising loss to SJK in their last match, following a fortunate point against Mariehamn. Despite twice taking the lead in Seinäjoki through Rui Modesto, their relative inexperience conceded three vital points from set pieces. Fortunately, they probably have the ideal opponents to get over this mid-season blip. They still need to get back to winning ways in order to keep hopes of a Europa Conference League place next season.
Lahti only have one league win in the last two months, which was their first game under new coach Mikko Mannila. Against leaders KuPS on Sunday, they capitulated in spectacular fashion with two red cards and conceding four goals. They go into this clash without the suspended Teemu Penninkangas and Chinedu Geoffrey, while they have said farewell to defender Alan Henrique (contract expired) and Albion Ademi (loan ended early).
Honka’s strengths this season of fast attacks and clinical finishing will get plenty of practice in this fixture, with Agon Sadiku in excellent form this season. They have also added former Croatia U21 striker Drazen Bagaric to their squad and he may well get a run-out here. The only hope for Lahti again will be from dead balls, Mac Kandji returning to his former club should fancy his chances. He has yet to play a full ninety minutes in the league this season, but desperate times…
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Prediction: Honka to Win, 1.40 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
HJK Helsinki v VPS
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Saturday 16th July- 3:00PM KO
HJK came through their Champions League test in midweek but needed extra time and another penalty shoot-out to get past Latvian side Rigas FS. Their struggles to score goals continued as their strike came from defender Murilo after going 2-0 down. Their reward for progress is a tie against Czech champions Viktoria Plzen, which will take all the focus away from this tie.
The loan signing of Malmo forward Malik Abubakari was confirmed on Thursday and he is set to feature in this match, albeit rusty with only three starts in Sweden this year. The option to rotate their other striking options will be vital with a minimum of six more continental fixtures to come this summer. Midfielder Manuel Martic has been ruled out for three months with injury but Santeri Vaananen has stepped up admirably. Expect Klubi to rotate heavily.
VPS meanwhile continue to have the strangest season. In tremendous form away from home, scoring freely and winning well, but cannot buy a win at home. Their veteran strike force of Steven Morrissey and Kalle Multanen are doing well and supported by on-loan Ipswich forward Tete Yengi. Their last visit to the Bolt Arena saw them putting five past HIFK – they won’t do that again this week, but they’ll fancy coming away with a positive result after seeing Oulu do similarly.
It’s likely to be a more open game with HJK squad players looking for a game against Plzen, while VPS will be confident of scoring at least once on the break.
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Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals, 1.80 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
IFK Mariehamn v HIFK
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Saturday 16th July – 4:30PM KO
2016 champions Mariehamn have recently hit a good run of form against teams above them in the table, seven points from nine have given them much-needed breathing space in the race to avoid a relegation that could destroy the club. Brazilian forward De has two goals in those matches, justifying his recall to the starting line-up, while the veteran John Owoeri has also got his goalscoring touch back. A home match against one of the worst-performing sides in recent Veikkausliiga history shouldn’t be too much of an issue for this team on this run.
HIFK meanwhile continue to provide bad news on and off the pitch. An insipid showing against Haka last week was expected, back-up goalkeeper Almeida doing well on his debut in place of the suspended Beto. Experienced head Jani Backman is also suspended for this match. The club are being sued for breach of contract with regards their recent managerial changes and were fined for fan use of pyros, despite their financial peril. They’ve only managed three shots on target in their last two fixtures, the lack of creativity and spark is all too apparent and the hiring of Mixu Paatelainen has failed to bring any stardust.
Mariehamn can extend the gap between themselves and HIFK to eleven points with a win here and will be allowed plenty of chances to keep the scoring runs of their strikers going. HIFK are likely to face a long ferry ride home after this.
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Prediction: Mariehamn to Win, 1.57 on Betfair (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
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