Inter Turku vs Haka Valkeakoski
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Veikkausliiga game between Inter Turku and Haka Valkeakoski.
Inter Turku have really gone off the boild in the last few rounds of the Veikkausliiga and it’s no coincidence that it’s happened at a time when star striker Timo Furuholm is not doing the business. He’s scored in just one out of Inter’s last five home games in the Veikkausliiga and although he bagged four goals in that game, it’s definitely worth noting that they were facing what is currently the worst side in the division – RoPS Rovaniemi. Inter Turku do have options, though – that’s what I like about them. Towering Jonke is a threat if not handled correctly and Abramovic can find the net if given the space. Additionally, we have the pacey Ojala, Scoppa, and Kauko behind so there are siginifcant threats in the attack of the hosts. Regular defender Kallio misses this game through suspension but the general view is that this will aid Inter’s defence as he’s somewhat calamitous although Inter will miss his aerial presence from set pieces. Either way, Inter Turku tend to dominate play on their own turf, hence them winning ten times and drawing five times in their fifteen Veikkausliiga home games this season. They average scoring nearly three goals per home game and with FC Honka Espoo and JJK Jyvaskyla closing in behind them, Inter Turku need to wake up – fast.
However, they have the advantage of hosting Haka Valkeakoski, whose away record is the most flattering one I’ve ever seen in this division. Haka have plenty of tenacity and a great man-motivator in boss Ristila but quality-wise, Haka just aren’t there. Maybe three players at most from all of Haka’s squad would force their way into the match-day squad of Inter Turku, just to give you an idea of the gulf between the two sides. Haka have no motivation to do anything here having beaten the drop against all odds. Indeed, I expect them to put in tired displays over the next few weeks as they don’t have much depth and a lot of their players have played much more than they should have done this season for the above reason and due to injures. Haka still miss a lot of players for this game too and with three defeats leading them into this game, it’s hard to see things improving against the blue-and-black half of Turku, especially with Haka having failed to register a goal during that time.
Effectively, if Inter Turku show up, this should be a walkover. Inter Turku will almost certainly concede the first goal because they’re stupid like that but Inter Turku not scoring three or four goals in this game as a minimum would be a big surprise, hence me calling the home win with a -1.5 handicap today.
Verdict: Inter Turku to beat the -1.5 handicap at 10/11.
Monday’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!
Bulgarian A PFG:
Kaliakra vs Cherno More Varna (6) 1-1
Cypriot Division 1:
Anorthosis Famagusta vs Aris Limassol (6) 2-1
Czech Republic Gambrinus Liga:
Viktoria Zizkov vs Slavia Prague (6) 0-0
Danish Superligaen:
AC Horsens vs FC Copenhagen (7) 1-2
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
MyPa Anjalankoski vs KuPS Kuopio (5) 1-0
IFK Mariehamn vs Jaro Pietarsaari (6) 2-2
Inter Turku vs Haka Valkeakoski (8) -1.5 handicap
Norwegian Eliteserien:
Start Kristiansand vs Brann Bergen (5) 2-2
Polish Ekstraklasa:
Widzew Lodz vs LKS Lodz (6) 1-0, at least one red card in this game
Romanian Liga:
Pandurii Targu Jiu vs Gaz Metan Medias (6) 1-0
Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt vs Dinamo Bucharest (7) over 2.5 goals
Singaporean S-League:
Tanjong Pagar vs Balestier Khalsa (4) 1-2
Spanish Primera Liga:
Athletic Club de Bilbao vs Osasuna (7) 2-0, at least one red card in this game
Swedish Allsvenskan:
Malmo FF vs Syrianska Sodertalje (5) 2-1
GAIS Goteborg vs IFK Goteborg (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Halmstad vs Djurgarden (5) 0-1
Gefle vs Helsingborg (5) 1-1
Swedish Superettan:
Landskrona BoIS vs Brommapojkarna (6) over 2.5 goals
GIF Sundsvall vs Atvidaberg (5)
Hammarby vs Jonkopings Sodra (6)
Turkish Super Lig:
Mersin Idmanyurdu vs Fenerbahce (7) 1-2
Enjoy your free betting tips!