IFK Mariehamn vs KuPS Kuopio
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Today’s secondary featured game is the encounter between IFK Mariehamn and KuPS Kuopio in South-West Finland.
The islands of Aland are one of the more tricky places to win at in the Veikkausliiga. The hosts are always physical and hard to break through with few exceptions. There’s quite an intimidating feel here too, which is backed up by the fact that bookies sometimes won’t offer in-play markets on IFK Mariehamn’s home games – there’s just not enough coverage in a very remote place.
Quality-wise, IFK are nowhere near what they used to be. Opinions are largely divided as to whether we should expect the hosts to be relegation battlers or the dark horses this season. As with all things in the Veikkausliiga, we’ll simply have to wait and see. For me, they’re going to be battling relegation because they’ve ripped out the spine of the team pre-season and that’s never an easy thing to actually accomplish when you consider how many replacements have to be made and how much cohesion has to be generated. Almost all of IFK’s defence moved on, as did some of their midfield. They have brought in some good players as well as finally getting rid of donkey Lehtinen so it’s not all bad. Okodugha is still on the sidelines and he’ll be missed, of course. Still, Forsell in midfield can make things happen and surprise packages Jagne and Ekhalie can ruffle a few feathers so I won’t rule out an IFK win here. In fact, I almost never do when they’re playing at home – they’re just not very easy to play against. Lastly, they’ve kept hold of Kangaskolkka up front, which is interesting as he’s a good forward and we may see more of that this season now that he’ll be the focal point of the attack.
Can KuPS upset the odds here and get three points? Sure they can! Will they? God only knows ’cause I don’t! KuPS are one of those sides in the Veikkausliiga – they can quite literally beat anyone and lose to anyone depending on their mood. KuPS demonstrated what they could do at home in the derby against JJK – well, for the first-half at least. After that, we didn’t see them again and they threw the game away. KuPS are full of talented attacking players and dubious defenders. They play good football but only when it suits them so it’s generally hard to back them or oppose them on the 1×2 market.
However, they are a goalscoring side by nature and that side of things interests me. They’ve got the firepower in Ilo, Venelainen, and now Zahovaiko to trouble any side in the division and that will only be further enhanced when Zahovaiko’s fellow countryman Puri is able to sit in midfield behind them. Puri has travelled today but it’s doubtful as to whether he can play or not as his documentation is yet to be cleared.
Can KuPS be arsed, though? I always end up asking myself this question as it’s the biggest question of all with them and their games and yet you can never really know the answer. If they can’t be arsed then they’ll be outfought here and lose the game 1-0 or 2-0 down to goals from set pieces. If they can be arsed then they can get a draw or even a win here. Yes, they’ll probably concede, but they’ll record at least one or two goals themselves against a sketchy and unfamiliar IFK back four, even with Lyyski back from his soujourn to Sweden.
Conclusion? I’m taking a chance on goals. I expect KuPS to put something into this game following a good first-half against JJK. IFK are the type of side that force sides to match their enthusiasm or they punish them. I think KuPS will rise to the challenge – for now – and thus over 2.5 goals is my selection at 11/10.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 11/10.
Thursday’s Picks
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
UEFA Europa League:
Atletico Madrid vs Valencia CF (5) 1-1
Sporting Clube de Lisboa vs Athletic Club de Bilbao (5) 2-2
Copa Libertadores:
Santos vs The Strongest (8) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Juan Aurich vs Internacional (5) 0-1
Universidad de Chile vs Atletico Nacional de Medellin (7) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Penarol vs Godoy Cruz de Mendoza (6) over 2.5 goals, at least one red card in this game
Bulgarian A PFG:
Svetkavitsa vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (4) under 2.5 goals
Slavia Sofia vs CSKA Sofia (6) 0-1
Montana vs Litex Lovech (7) 1-2
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
MyPa Anjalankoski vs Jaro Pietarsaari (5) 1-1
VPS Vaasa vs Inter Turku (6) 1-1
TPS Turku vs HJK Helsinki (5) 2-1
JJK Jyvaskyla vs Haka Valkeakoski (7) over 2.5 goals
IFK Mariehamn vs KuPS Kuopio (5) 1-2
Paraguayan Division Profesional:
Rubio Nu vs Tacuary (6) 0-0
Singaporean S-League:
Albirex Niigata vs Tampines Rovers (6) 1-2
Home United vs DPMM FC (5) 1-1
Swedish Superettan:
Osters vs Angelholm (6)
Enjoy your free betting tips!