TFT Issue 323!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
Haka Valkeakoski vs IFK Mariehamn – home win at evens.
Today’s featured game is the Finnish Liiga Cup game between Haka and IFK Mariehamn.
Haka earned a lot of plaudits from the Finnish media last season for their battling displays against the odds. To be honest, this side probably cost me more money than any other Finnish side as I could see no longevity in a stretched, talentless squad and their quest to defy relegation. However, they stung me time and time again so credit must go to boss Ristila, who is notoriously good at motivating his players, it has to be said. The ex-Zwolle player did a terrific job last season and I expect more of the same this season with Ristila swooping to sign more bargain players at cut-prices such as McFaul (no doubt recommened by Robinson!) and ex-HJK playmaker Dema. The most impressive signing of all has to be their recent acquisition of Jami Pustinen from FC Honka Espoo. The ex-Manchester United youngster didn’t fit in at Honka but I’m sure he’ll get ample opportunities at Haka and let’s face it – his pace is a real threat and he can finish too, unlike fellow striker Metzger! So, yeah – I expect quite a lot from Haka this season, to be honest.
Visitors IFK Mariehamn are getting weaker and weaker. They’re not spending money, they’re losing good players, and they’re perpetually struggling with injuries. Their only good winger Okodugha is still out, which means that they have to play through the middle, basically. That’s hard enough to do against Haka as it is but the absence of Forsell today makes that an impossibility too. Forsell was one of the players of the season in the Veikkausliiga last season for my money – I’ve no idea why one of the bigger clubs didn’t pounce, really. However, he’s out too for IFK – the warning sirens are making a lot of noise right now! Who else? Ah yes – defender Trafford is out too. He’s a regular and with De Abreu having already moved on, this IFK defence is in tatters. They’re going to have to hope to hell that Josh Wicks bails them out a lot again this season or for me, relegation is a very real possibility for IFK.
I normally don’t like betting on the 1×2 market in the Liiga Cup but I’m going to do that today. Haka have played very well against difficult sides, holding their own well against the Turku two but lacking that cutting edge in front of goal, which is something that Puustinen should provide. IFK have been atrocious in all of their games, even in their 3-0 win against TPS Turku, surprisingly enough. They converted their chances well but this side is just a wreck right now. If Haka feel motivated for this game – and Ristila makes sure that that’s always the case – then they’re going to win this game, one way or another. For me, there’s value in the home win at evens.
Verdict: Haka Valkeakoski to win at evens.
Additional game
Slavia Prague vs Teplice – away win with draw no bet at 6/5.
Teplice with draw no bet at 6/5? Seriously? I’ll take a slice of that pie!
I thought Teplice would roll over in this half of the season, in all honesty. The way they played earlier this season was superb and I didn’t believe that they had the quality nor the longevity to emulate that. However, they entertained reigning Gambrinus Liga champions Viktoria Plzen in their first game back and how they didn’t get something from the game I don’t know. Teplice still have their issues at the back – it wouldn’t be Teplice if there weren’t defensive issues! – but their attack is just superb right now. They should have beaten Viktoria Plzen, in all honesty, but succumbed to their clinical opponents in a 3-4 loss.
Now, if Teplice play that way in Prague then they’re going to win – it’s as simple as that. Mahmutovic is unplayable right now and with old hand Vachousek supporting him, this Teplice side looks very good going forward. I still have my doubts that they’ll last the distance but let’s wait and see.
Slavia Prague are still unrecognisable from the giants that they once were. Look at their team – where are their goals coming fom? Vicek is a wreck nowadays. They’ve signed Blazek as a target man and I do like him, to be honest, but there’s no Karol Kisel there to pinpoint a set piece on to his head anymore! Lukas Jarolim is a valuable asset in midfield but again, the options that Slavia have are few and far between. Trubila at the back has had a good season and Contofalsky is a good goalkeeper but this is a handful of good players in a very poor side. Slavia Prague will still battle in their home games; their nutcase fans won’t have it any other way. Quality-wise, though – Slavia are nothing to even be remotely concerned about nowadays.
If Teplice show up here – if – then they should win this one with some ease as they have firepower and Slavia don’t. For me, the odds are priced too much on Slavia’s name rather than their ability. Therefore, the away win with draw no bet appeals to me a lot at 6/5.
Verdict: Teplice to win with draw no bet at 6/5.
Team news
Finnish Liiga Cup:
Haka Valkeakoski – Pesonen, Metzger, Salonen, Ojanpera, and McFaul are absent. Pirinen returns.
IFK Mariehamn – Okodugha, Forsell, Trafford, and Gadz are absent.
Israeli Ligat Ha’al:
Bnei Sakhnin – Kasum and Radi are absent.
Hapoel Haifa – Kale may return.
Polish Ekstraklasa:
GKS Belchatow – Baran is absent. Buzala is a doubt.
Gornik Zabrze – Przybylski has been replaced by Thornik.