Ilves – Lahti Prediction & Picks (20.06.2018)

Ilves and FC Lahti face at Tammelan Stadion, in a match for the 15th round of the Veikkausliiga. In the last direct confrontation for this edition of the league, on 04-21-2018, FC Lahti won at home against (2-0). In this stadium, the history of direct confrontations is favorable to the home team, which records 3 wins and 1 loss in the last 4 matches. In fact, the last time these two teams played a match in this stadium was on 09-30-2017, in a match for the Veikkausliiga, which ended in the victory of Ilves by (2-1). The goals of the match were scored by A. Ngueukam (11 ‘) and J. Tanska (45’), for Ilves, and Henri Anier (60 ‘), for FC Lahti. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor.

Ilves:

The home team is currently in the 6 th position of the league, with 19 points won, after 5 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against KuPS Kuopio, by (3-1). In the last match, they tied in a home match against HJK Helsinki, by (0-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 10 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss at their stadium.

For this competition, they have not lost any of the last 6 home matches. In their home league matches the most frequent result at half-time was the 0-0 (3 out of 6 matches). Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 14 matches in this competition, they only got 1 comeback in the 5 matches in which they suffered the first goal.

Ilves went through a less positive period in the Finnish championship, since in the last match he added the third consecutive game without beating, to tie to zero against HJK. However, it must be emphasized that the home team did not score any home losses. In this confrontation with the fans, it is expected that coach Jarkko Wiss plays in the usual 4-2-3-1, privileging the possession of the ball and the attacks paused by the flanks. The striker Marius Noubissi is the best marker of the team, with 5 goals scored. The defensive sector is one of the strengths of this Ilves, it has suffered on average 0.33 goals per game. From outside due to injury continue Mettala and Baba Mensah.

FC Lahti:

After 5 wins, 7 draws and 1 loss, the away team is currently in the 4 th position, with 22 points won. In the penultimate match, they tied in a home match against Honka Espoo, by (1-1). In the last match, they tied in an away match against TPS Turku, by (1-1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 7 draws and 4 losses in away matches; against 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses at their stadium. For the league, FC Lahti won 10 points out of 21 possible points, after 2 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss in the last 7 home matches.

In this competition, they have drawn the last 4 matches and have not lost any of the last 5 appearances as visitors. The team has conceded goals in 7 of the last 10 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches for this competition.

The Lahti come to this day with a tie to a ball against the TPS, thus adding the ninth game followed without losing in this competition, but in that period added only three wins. Normally coach Toni Korkeakunnas plays in 3-4-3, with Henri Anier being the most offensive reference of the visiting team: this player is the best scorer of Lahti, with 4 goals scored. When observing the meetings away from home of this team it is possible to notice that the foreigners present quality in the defensive line, having suffered on average only 0.86 goals per game. Without great absences to register, the Lahti must act in maximum strength.