TFT Issue 30!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
HJK Helsinki vs IFK Mariehamn
Today’s featured game is the Liiga Cup encounter between giants HJK Helsinki and misfits IFK Mariehamn. I’m not entirely sure why HJK are priced as long as they are for this game (4/9!) – I can only imagine that the bookies have put very little research into this game.
You see, like quite a lot of recent Liiga Cup games, this match has been moved to an indoors venue, which usually favours the home side quite dramatically and this game shouldn’t be an exception. HJK tore Haka Valkeakoski apart last match and that game was actually played indoors in Helsinki, contrary to what most football statistics websites show – the game was moved last-minute and HJK won comfortably. Admittedly, Haka definitely aren’t what they were but that was an annihlation, just as it was when they overcame TPS Turku at the start of the Liiga Cup. They understandably drew 1-1 with title rivals FC Honka Espoo and were ran close by MyPa Anjalankoski but HJK’s class showed through with a 2-1 win. HJK just ooze goals and their signings during the transfer window appear to be settling well. I can’t overlook HJK winning the Veikkausliiga again this season and with the Liiga Cup having a purpose to it at long last, they may just make the push to try and win this competition for a change. There’s a lot of ability in midfield with new signing Yobe and winger Bah running the show, not to mention lethal duo Parikka and Pukki in attack so I really like this HJK side at the moment, especially their ability to score goals.
To the same extent that I like HJK, I dislike IFK Mariehamn this season. They were immense two seasons ago but last year they were poor and this season they should really be even worse. The games that they’ve played in the Liiga Cup thus far have backed up my point, too! They won their opening game 4-0 against Haka Valkeakoski, which flattered them. Since then, they’ve bagged just one goal in three games, losing all three games rather easily. FC Honka Espoo drubbed them 3-1, impotent Inter Turku dominated and won 1-0, and even a very youthful TPS Turku won at IFK Mariehamn 0-1 in their last game. To make matters worse, the dismissal of de Abreu against TPS Turku means he misses this game against HJK. They also have doubts over important midfielder Olofsson and with their best player by far – Gruborovics – having been sold in the transfer window, it’s hard to see IFK having the ability or even the depth to get anything here.
For me, this game should be a walk in the park for HJK. They have the best squad in the Veikkausliiga and Liiga Cup by a mile and if they show up, as they have done often so far, then they should win this game comfortably as I fail to see IFK’s goal threat but I can see them conceding stupid goals very easily. The indoor arena gives HJK a big advantage here so my call is for HJK to beat the -1.5 handicap at 10/11, which is rather generous, in my view.
Team news – IFK Mariehamn miss de Abreu and have doubts over the fitness of Olofsson.
Verdict: HJK Helsinki to beat the -1.5 goal handicap at 10/11.