Ilves and HJK Helsinki meet at Tammelan Stadion, in a match for the 14th round of the Veikkausliiga. In the last head-to-head for this edition of the league, played on 08-04-2018, HJK Helsinki won home (3-1). In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations indicates total equilibrium between these two teams, since there were 2 draws and 2 victories for each team in the last 6 matches. However, the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium was on 09-16-2017, for Veikkausliiga, which ended in a victory for HJK Helsinki by (1-4). The goals of the match were scored by M. Noubissi (56 ‘), for Ilves, and D. Savage (9’), A. Tanaka (45 ‘), O. Jallow (69’) and F. Valenčič (78 ‘) , for the HJK Helsinki. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since Ilves presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.
Ilves:
The home team is currently in the 5 th position of the league, with 18 points won, after 5 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Honka Espoo, by (4-1). In the last match, they lost in an away match against KuPS Kuopio, by (3-1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 11 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss at their stadium.
For this competition, they have not lost any of the last 5 home matches. In their away league matches there are a few frequent results at half-time: 0-0 (2 out of 5 matches) and 1-0 (2 out of 5 matches). Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 13 matches in the competition, they suffered the first goal 5 times and only managed 1 comeback.
The Ilves leaves for this game with a defeat in the field of the KuPS, by 3-1, adding of this form the according desaire followed in this competition: the unique goal of the equipment was marked by Jarvinen. In this game against HJK, coach Jarkko Wiss must act in the usual 4-3-3, privileging the defensive organization and rapid transitions, especially through the flanks. The Cameroonian Marius Noubissi is the best marker of Ilves in the championship, with 5 goals scored. The defensive sector is one of the strong points of this formation, since it suffered on average only 0.4 goals per game. For this game the coach does not have Mensah and Mettala, both injured.
HJK Helsinki:
After 11 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, the away team is currently in the 1 st position, with 34 points won. In the penultimate match, they won in an away match against RoPS Rovaniemi, by (1-2). In the last match, they won in a home match against IFK Mariehamn, by (2-0). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 10 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in away matches, with 27 goals scored and 11 conceded; against 11 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses at their stadium, with 35 goals scored and 12 suffered. In the last 7 away league matches HJK Helsinki has a record of 6 wins and 1 draw, so they have won 19 points out of 21 possible.
In this competition, he has won the last 4 games away and has not lost any of the last 7 appearances as a visitor. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 14 matches for this competition, they have conceded the first goal 4 times, but have turned the score in 3. In the last 9 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 4 of their 10 goals between minutes (61 ‘) -75 ‘).
The HJK comes to this day with a victory over Mariehamn, by 2-0, adding in this way the seventh triumph followed in the Finnish championship: the goals were scored by Ajo and Klauss. Normally coach Mika Lehkosuo plays in 4-4-2, privileging possession of the ball and deliberate attacks, however, and as he acts outside the home, he must benefit the defensive organization and counterattacks. The Brazilian Klauss is the great highlight of the HJK, with 12 goals scored. For this game the coach can count on all his players.
PREDICTION: HJK to win @ 1.53
