OPS Oulu vs RoPS Rovaniemi
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Ykkonen game between OPS Oulu and RoPS Rovaniemi. This is a derby of sorts, although I’d argue that AC Oulu is a bigger derby for RoPS, but still approach this one with caution nonetheless.
OPS Oulu have a strong starting eleven, it has to be said. Indeed, for a portion of this season I think we’ll see OPS Oulu up amongst the fore-runners of the promotion push. However, I don’t see it lasting for a substantial period of time because this side has one of the smallest squads in the Ykkonen. I’m open to being proven wrong, however! They look to have made a good signing in Mexican midfielder Ramirez, who has settled straight in. They’ve got a talented attacker in Nganbe Nganbe and this side is liable to surprise so it’s wise to avoid the 1×2 market when considering betting on OPS Oulu games. There’ll be the odd occasion where I advocate it but the majority of the time I simply wouldn’t dare. OPS Oulu are good enough to score goals and to win this game but to say that they’re a superior side to RoPS Rovaniemi would be a lie so again, don’t touch the 1×2 market here!
RoPS could and should win this one, really. However, a new-look squad still have a lot to prove so we’ll have to sit back and see how they play on a more consistent basis before jumping aboard. I have to admit that I’ve been impressed with how well they’ve galvanised as a unit and how efficiently they’re playing. They’ve only conceded once in four Ykkonen games this season despite being handed a tough start to their campaign with a derby game with AC Oulu being their first game of the season, which was swiftly followed by a trip to promotion rivals PK-35 Helsinki and a home game with another title contender – KooTeePee Kotka. I’ve been impressed with how maturely RoPS have dealt with that tough fixture list and their ability to frustrate their opponents. I’m not sure how far this new-look RoPS Rovaniemi side can actually go because we’re only seeing the very start of this team. Still, they’ve got the experience and the quality to win the Ykkonen so anything is possible. This is a very hard game for RoPS but so what – all the others before this (barring the home game with Hameenlinna) have been hard and RoPS have won all but one of them. Don’t be surprised if RoPS claim three points from this tricky derby of theirs!
Again, though, I have to encourage you to not bet on the 1×2 market. I’m sure RoPS will be broken at some point and if it’s bogey side OPS Oulu that are first to it this season then I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. This is a very interesting game for various reasons but given how well RoPS have stopped sides from playing this season, I really fancy under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at 4/5.
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!
Argentinian Primera Division:
Arsenal de Sarandi vs Atletico Lanus (6) 1-0
Danish 1st Division:
Randers vs Vestjaelland (7)
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
HJK Helsinki vs FC Honka Espoo (7) 2-0
Jaro Pietarsaari vs FC Lahti (6) 0-0
MyPa Anjalankoski vs VPS Vaasa (6) 2-1
TPS Turku vs JJK Jyvaskyla (7) over 2.5 goals
KuPS Kuopio vs Haka Valkeakoski (5) 1-0
IFK Mariehamn vs Inter Turku (7) 1-2
Finnish Ykkonen:
Viikingit Helsinki vs KooTeePee Kotka (6)
OPS Oulu vs RoPS Rovaniemi (5)
Hameenlinna vs SJK (7)
PK-35 Helsinki vs AC Oulu (6)
Icelandic Urvalsdeild:
UMF Grindavik vs Stjarnan Gardabaer (4) 1-0
Fram Reykjavik vs Selfoss (7) 2-1
Lithuanian A Lyga:
Vilnius vs Dainava (6) 1-0
Romanian Liga:
Petrolul Ploiesti vs Sportul Studentesc (7) 2-1
FC Brasov vs Targu Mures (7) 2-0
Ceahlaul Piatra Neamt vs Gaz Metan Medias (5) 1-1
Swedish Allsvenskan:
GIF Sundsvall vs Elfsborg Boras (5) 0-0
GAIS Goteborg vs IFK Goteborg (5) 2-1
Swedish Superettan:
Assyriska Sodertalje vs Degerfors (7) over 2.5 goals
Angelholm vs Falkenberg (7)
Brage vs Osters (5)
Landskrona BoIS vs Hammarby (6)
Enjoy your free betting tips!