TFT Issue 325!
FreeHowdy guys and girls!
Featured game
TPS Turku vs Inter Turku – TPS Turku to win with draw no bet at 7/5.
Today’s featured game is the Liiga Cup game in Finland between TPS Turku and Inter Turku.
Quality-wise, there’s very little between these two sides. They generally go toe-to-toe and it’s usually a bold move to even enter this game from the 1×2 perspective, especially as they share a stadium.
However, I’m going to take the plunge with TPS Turku here. Small things can make a big difference in this fixture and the absentee front certainly favours TPS Turku. The only problem TPS Turku have is the potential absence of playmaker Kolehmainen as he’s a doubt. Aside from that, they’ve got a full compliment of players to choose from. Aaritalo remains one of the best strikers in Finland for me and he can be the match-winner here that TPS will need to win the game. They’re pretty solid elsewhere, even with starlet Riski having moved on again. There’s still improvements to be made before TPS become the side that they once were but for a side that was financially crippled less than two years ago I think they’re doing pretty damn well.
Inter Turku have been the bigger name in Finnish football out of the two Turku clubs over the past couple of years. This is partially due to a more stable financial position, an excellent manager in Dragtsma, and the inconsistency of most other Finnish clubs. Inter Turku had arguably their best season for some time last year and it’s no coincidence that it occurred at the same time that they managed to keep Timo Furuholm fit for most of the season. Unsurprisingly, his constant appearances allowed him to score the goals that he was more than capable of doing, which has subsequently led to him leaving Inter Turku. That was a big problem until Inter Turku signed Georgian striker Siribadze as a replacement from Jaro Pietarsaari. He made a big impression in his short tenure in the Veikkausliiga last season and I’m sure he’ll do the same this season for a frankly better side, especially with a cracking wide man like Ojala playing, who has a very good technique when it comes to delivering set pieces. However, Siribadze misses this game today along with a few others and ultimatley Inter Turku look rather weak in attack, for a change. That should give TPS Turku the edge in this tight derby and I think they’ll make it count.
Inter Turku are the more vulnerable side of these two when it comes to defending and TPS Turku have got the personnel to make them suffer here. Again, this is a tight derby with not much between these two sides so heavy stakes are definitely not recommended for this game. However, given that Inter Turku’s most prominent weapon is their attack and that it’s severely depleted today, I think taking TPS to win this one with draw no bet cover at 7/5 looks very appealing here.
Verdict: TPS Turku to win with draw no bet at 7/5.
Additional game
Vasas Budapest vs Budapest Honved – under 2.5 goals at evens.
This is one of the lesser Budapest derbies in Hungary and I think we may see a game that reflects that here. Vasas are in the middle of a takeover and given that they already deploy a “defence first” policy in their home games, it’s hard to see them suddenly becoming adventurous at such a turbulent time. They’re solid enough to keep sides out here though and I expect them to manage it today too. Visitors Budapest Honved were flying high earlier this season due to their excellent goalscoring record. Their chairman has stated his intent that Budapest Honved return to Europe in time for next season, which they’re in a prime position to do. Well, that was before the winter break, at least. During the break, Budapest Honved lost pretty much all of their attack with Danilo, Torghelle, and Abass all seeking their fortunes elsewhere. It’s a shame as Budapest Honved looked a pretty solid unit with a decent defence but it’s hard to see them producing much in the second-half of the season with no attacking clout.
Hungarian games generally go over 2.5 goals rather easily but I’ll chance my arm with under 2.5 goals in this one given the defensive nature of the hosts and the lack of firepower for the visitors.
Verdict: Under 2.5 goals at evens.
Team news
Australian A-League:
Brisbane Roar – Henrique is absent. Broich is a doubt.
Melbourne Heart – Taseski, Ibrahim, Zahra are absent. Sarkies is a doubt.
English Championship:
Blackpool – Fowler, Taylor-Fletcher, Cathcart, and M.Phillips are absent.
Hull City – No absentees.
Finnish Liiga Cup:
TPS Turku – Kolehmainen is absent.
Inter Turku – Parviainen, Nyman, Nikkari, Reponen, and Sirbiladze are absent.
Portuguse Liga Sagres:
SL Benfica – Javi Garcia returns.
Porto – James Rodriguez is a doubt.
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Deportivo La Coruna – Pablo, Bodipo, Alvarez, Nouioui, and Guardado are absent.
Alcorcon – Miguelez is absent.