Viikingit Helsinki vs HiFK Helsinki
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Today’s secondary featured game is the Ykkonen derby between Viikingit Helsinki and HiFK Helsinki.
Viikingit’s new-look youngsters have been a shade susceptible so far this season. However, a bit of time has passed and their team is growing in cohesion, which is impressive. I’m a bit concerned that this side doesn’t score enough goals, to be honest. They’ve bagged just four goals this season and all of them have been over their last four games. However, I would point out that they’ve won three of those games as a result as their defence has impressed although they clearly have a level that they can attain and a level that they can’t get near. The likes of AC Oulu, PK-35 Helsinki, SJK, and perhaps OPS Oulu are too good for them this year but the rest are all fair game. Viikingit are good enough to hold a lead once they get it and with Ecuadorian midfielder Delgado impressing so far this season and ex-HJK winger Peteri on the right wing, you have to feel that Viikingit have enough to take the lead today and thus do their usual trick of hanging on and claiming three points.
This is a derby, though, and HiFK Helsinki will have some confidence following their 0-0 draw with a vastly superior PK-35 Helsinki. HiFK have the best support in the division, though – if they feel up for it, they can get points off any side in the Ykkonen when playing at home. Playing away from home, though – it’s not the same for them. It’s harder for them to disguise the fact that they’re simply not a very good side. They concede goals far too easily and although they occasionally score the odd goal, they’re just a rather poor unit, to be frank. Goalscoring has been an issue for them of late, scoring just once in three games. With striker Britschgi out, thus leaving kids Antman, Saari, and Kastrati to inflict the damage, it’s hard to accept that Viikingit are a legitimate threat here. They also miss Mikko Halme in midfield and despite Sami Okkonen being capable of springing a surprise by himself, I just don’t see enough weapons in the HiFK arsenal to trouble their hosts today.
This game could either explode with goals in typical derby fashion or Viikingit could take the lead and grind out the win. I’m on the fence as to which will occur because there are plenty of variables here. Nonetheless, I still think Viikingit have more than enough to win this game at 4/5.
Verdict: Viikingit Helsinki to win at 4/5.
Sunday’s Picks
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
World Cup Qualifiers – Africa:
Zimbabwe vs Guinea (6) 1-0
South Africa vs Ethiopia (6) 1-0
Niger vs Gabon (6) under 2.5 goals
Benin vs Mali (6) 2-1
Angola vs Uganda (8) 2-0
Togo vs Libya (7) 2-0
Nigeria vs Namibia (8) 2-1
World Cup Qualifiers – Asia:
Japan vs Oman (7) 1-0
Uzbekistan vs Iran (5) 1-2
Jordan vs Iraq (6) 0-0
Lebanon vs Qatar (6) 0-1
World Cup Qualifiers – South America:
Peru vs Colombia (6) 1-1
International Friendlies:
Brazil vs Mexico (7) 2-1
Spain vs China (9) -1.5 handicap
Canada vs USA (7) 1-2
Baltic Cup:
Estonia vs Lithuania (7) 2-0
Finland vs Latvia (7) 2-1
Finnish Ykkonen:
Viikingit Helsinki vs HiFK Helsinki (7)
OPS Oulu vs PK-35 Helsinki (5)
Hameenlinna vs AC Oulu (7)
SJK vs RoPS Rovaniemi (6)
Spanish Segunda Liga:
Celta de Vigo vs Cordoba (8) over 2.5 goals
Elche vs Gimnastic de Tarragona (7)
Almeria vs Alcoyano (8)
Real Valladolid vs Guadalajara (8) over 2.5 goals
Numancia vs Alcorcon (5) both sides to score
Deportivo Xerez vs Barcelona II (6)
Huesca vs Hercules Alicante (5)
Villarreal II vs Deportivo La Coruna (6)
Swedish Superettan:
Falkenberg vs Degerfors (6)
Uruguayan Primera Division:
Bella Vista vs Danubio (5) 0-1
Montevideo Wanderers vs Rentistas (7) 2-1
Racing Club Montevideo vs Cerro (5) 1-1
Club Nacional de Montevideo vs Liverpool Montevideo (6) 2-1
River Plate Montevideo vs Defensor Sporting (6) 1-2
El Tanque Sisley vs Cerro Largo (5) 0-0