RoPS Rovaniemi vs TPS Turku
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Veikkausliiga encounter in northern Finland between RoPS Rovaniemi and TPS Turku. The hosts generally aren’t an over 2.5 goals team and yet most of their games have so far this season and I expect this one to as well!
You see, RoPS are somewhat poor in attack. I mean, Mexican hitman Rivera has settled well and has really given them an extra dimension up front but they’re not a good attacking side. Is it any wonder as they parted with almost all of their decent attacking players in the match-fixing scandal during the Liiga Cup? Either way, RoPS have responded brilliantly to the wise words of Welsh boss Allen and now fight even more fiercely than before. German defender Gotzl has been an inspired signing and has really held it together for a side that just barely has enough quality to stay in the Veikkausliiga at present. RoPS are really going to have to strengthen in the transfer window because they’re really short on strength in depth. However, this side is really working hard and they’re also taking their chances, which is both surprising but pleasing. I’ve always liked RoPS so I like to see them do well but they’re truly playing above themselves at the moment; they’re scoring set pieces and goal-mouth scrambles but hey, it’s working! How they lost 2-0 at Haka Valkeakoski last match I’ll never know; it had a “draw” all over it, or possibly even an away win but RoPS failed to show up and scored two own goals in the process to give Haka an undeserved win. RoPS just seem to attract goals to them at the moment and I don’t really know how as they’re a defensive side by nature! Their last two home games have both gone over 2.5 goals, however, and I expect the same committed display from the hosts here to trouble their opponents.
TPS Turku’s team is finally adjusting to one another but they have a harder task ahead of them today than squad bonding; the nightmarish artificial turf at Rovaniemen Keskuskenttaa. Anyone that has won in Rovaniemi this season has had to play really well and although TPS are capable of that, I’m not so sure they’ll manage it today as they’re not firing on all cylinders yet, understandably. Indeed, 9/10 on the away win after an international break seems very short, especially considering that TPS Turku’s star striker Aaritalo has been travelling from San Marino to Sweden and back home to Finland during that time. He’s not their only good striker, admittedly – Kuqi and Tarvajarvi have both played well for TPS this season – but he’s their best striker, in my view. Nonetheless, TPS’ emergence of late is due to them scoring goals and it’s had to be that way, really – their defence lacks cohesion in a big way. Only two of TPS’ Veikkausliiga games this season have gone under 2.5 goals due to not being able to play a composed game of football, especially in defence, and I expect it to show by the final whistle today too.
TPS Turku are the better of these two sides; as much as I love RoPS, I can’t contest that. However, this pitch suits nobody but its owners and you can see that if you watch their games. RoPS are fresh and raring to go whereas TPS Turku need to see just how Aaritalo is ahead of this one. Both sides have scored goals freely of late and despite that not being RoPS’ usually way of playing, they’re going to have to score in this game if they intend to prevent TPS winning and against that dubious backline, I think Rivera and co. can have some fun today. This should be a good game to watch and I expect it to be a draw but I see no value in the 1×2 market, to be honest. Instead, I’ll edge toward over 2.5 goals at 7/10 because for my money, it shouldn’t be longer than 6/10, having seen how badly TPS have played at the back this season.
Verdict: Over 2.5 goals at 7/10.
Thursday’s Picks
My tips:
As ever, below are my recommended value tips for today in no particular order:
No other singles appeal to me today – sorry guys!
Accumulator fodder:
Inter Turku.
Recommended bets:
No multiples appeal to me today – sorry guys!
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!
International Friendly:
Poland vs France (6) 0-1
Chilean Primera Division:
Universidad de Chile vs Universidad Catolica (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game
Finnish Veikkausliiga:
JJK Jyvaskyla vs VPS Vaasa (7) 1-0
KuPS Kuopio vs MyPa Anjalankoski (7) 2-0
FC Honka Espoo vs HJK Helsinki (5) 2-1
RoPS Rovaniemi vs TPS Turku (6) 2-2
Inter Turku vs Haka Valkeakoski (8) 2-0
Italian Serie B:
Padova vs Novara (6)
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Real Valladolid vs Elche (6)
Enjoy your free betting tips!