TFT Issue 158!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Haka Valkeakoski vs JJK Jyvaskyla – away win at 11/10.
Today’s featured game is the Finnish Veikkausliiga game between Haka Valkeakoski and JJK Jyvaskyla. By my reckoning, the hosts will be lucky to stay in the division this season despite their misleading league placing and the visitors will attain a European spot.
Well, that’s the aesthetics of it; let’s look at how things are right now. I can only presume that Haka are under the guidance of a deity of something of late because they keep pulling results out of their arse and I’ve no idea how. However, a loss at IFK Mariehamn in the last round of fixtures should have done more than just damage their morale as star striker Metzger was dismissed, meaning he misses this game. As if Haka weren’t woeful enough in attack already but without the quick and tenacious striker, they’re going to really struggle to score, even against the sometimes non-existant defence of JJK Jvaskyla. Mind you, I’m not so sure Metzger would have made a huge difference had he played – he’s quick but not a dangerous finisher. Then again, the Haka deity might have helped out, of course! Either way, his absence weakens an already weak Haka and although I won’t underestimate their bullish underdog tag and the cohesion it has naturally given them, I cannot overlook how vastly inferior they actually are to JJK today, hence my interest in the game.
JJK are simply a lot better than Haka. That is the foundation for this bet, simply put! They’ve got a fantastic midfield, easily one of the best in the country, especially with Gruborovics rapidly proving that he’s a contender for signing of the season. JJK dominate midfield and supply ample ammunition for their fairly average strikeforce although it’s no coincidence that Wusu has already scored despite having made just two appearances since returning from injury. This guy is a good striker, whereas the others are just average, so JJK will improve even more as he gains full match fitness again. JJK’s defence may fall asleep from time to time and concede stupid goals as a result but as an attacking force, they should have way too much for Haka today.
My sole concern is if JJK approach this game in the same tired way as they approached the game with MyPa, losing 2-1 despite leading 0-1 for most of the game. They were poor in that game and if they do that here than a draw is a very real possibility. However, I was encouraged by what I saw from JJK on monday and Wusu returning at this stage of the season is like a new signing for them. Haka miss the only player likely to get on the scoresheet too so for me, there could well be value on the away win at 11/10 but I wouldn’t go with it any shorter than that.
Verdict: JJK Jyvaskyla to win at 11/10.