TFT Issue 107!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
The bin
Brno vs Ceske Budejovice – home win at evens.
This one was so tempting as Brno have to win but no Dostalek means their defence will be very susceptible here. Ceske Budejovice are crap on the road but they can get a goal here and if they do then I don’t see a home win so it’s a big “no bet” for me.
Featured game
IFK Mariehamn vs TPS Turku – home win at 6/5.
Today’s featured game is the Veikkausliiga encounter in Aland between IFK Mariehamn and TPS Turku. The hosts have started to shine of late whereas the visitors look uncertain and lacking on cohesion so you can see the foundation for this bet.
The tiny island group off the south-west coast of Finland is not an easy place for an away game as it is. Couple that with IFK’s reputation of being a physical side and you have a very difficult game here. This season, it was expected that’d all change with IFK losing some big players pre-season, especially Gruborovics. However, the fortuitous capitulation of Tampere United led IFK into salvation as they signed four of Tampere United’s players in a short space of time to massively bolster their squad and they now find themselves as dark horses for the Veikkausliiga campaign ahead. The bonus that IFK have is that the majority of their side has played together for some time and the new players that have just signed for them already have Veikkausliiga experience so the gelling period is very short. Importantly, IFK actually have some depth now and in the long Veikkausliiga season ahead, that could be pivotal.
IFK have done really well so far, too. Ok, you could argue that they’ve faced poor sides and I’d agree. However, it’s the manner that they’ve won those games in that has impressed me the most. They’re smooth, efficient, composed, and in control. They’re not a giant; far from it. However, they are a top six team with the current squad available to them and I’ve been very convinced by what I’ve seen thus far.
Similarly, I’ve been very put-off by what I’ve seen from TPS Turku. The side has surprisingly replaced their big losses with some good quality signings and they should be competing for a top four place but instead they’re stuck with trying to gel their team together and it’s not working. TPS Turku are scoring scrappy goals or from set pieces but aren’t creating a lot of chances, worryingly. What’s worse is that they’re defending like idiots! They’re giving stupid goals away at every opportunity, hence their 1-3 defeat at home against Jaro Pietarsaari last match and they even lost their tempers toward the end with new striker Tarvajarvi randomly pushing over one of the Jaro players and being sent off. Subsequently, he’s suspended and misses this game and as good as Aaritalo is in attack, he does need a strike partner. Again, TPS have quality in their team but do they play as a team? Not yet. They’re conceding too many goals and aren’t scoring enough so I really don’t see them doing well here today.
For me, IFK are priced far too long to win this game. They’ve got some good players and play very well as a unit whereas TPS Turku are still gelling and are suffering defensively as a result. Therefore, the home win at 6/5 is my call here.
Verdict: IFK Mariehamn to win at 6/5.