Ilves – VPS Prediction & Picks (18.05.2018)

Ilves and VPS Vaasa meet in Tammelan Stadion, in a match for the 9th round of the Veikkausliiga. The two teams tied (1-1), on 04-25-2018, in the previous match for this edition of the league. The record of direct matches played in this stadium indicates total balance between these two teams, since there were 2 draws and 1 win for each team in the last 4 matches. Indeed, the last time these teams met at this stadium was on 07-27-2017, for Veikkausliiga, which ended in a draw for (0-0). The condition home / away deserves particular attention, because despite this being a match between 7th and 5th of the league table, it is actually a match between the 4th classified in home matches and the 6th as a visitor.

Ilves:

The home team is currently in the 7 th position of the league, with 11 points won, after 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses. In the penultimate match, they won in a home match against RoPS Rovaniemi, by (1-0). In the last match, they lost in an away match against IFK Mariehamn, by (2-0). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, since they have won 7 points in away matches, with 4 goals scored and 8 conceded, against 4 points won at their stadium, with 4 goals scored and 2 conceded. In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Ilves won 7, tied 2 and lost 1. Defensive consistency has not been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 6 of the last 8 matches, but their offense has scored with regularity, as they have scored goals in 6 of the last 8 matches for this competition. In 8 matches in the competition, they suffered the first goal 4 times and only managed 1 comeback.

The Ilves part for this game with a defeat in the field of Mariehamn, by 2-0, putting an end to the four games in a row without beating the Finnish championship. It is important to note that the locals added two victories in three games played in their stadium. In this game against the VPS, coach Jarkko Wiss must act in the usual 3-4-2-1, privileging possession of the ball and organized attacks, especially through the flanks. Cameroonian Marius Noubissi is the best scorer of Ilves, with 3 goals scored. The defensive sector is one of the strong points of this formation, since it suffered on average 0.67 goals per game. From outside by injury continue Mensah and Mettala, both injured.

VPS:

The away team is currently in the 5 th position, with 11 points won, after 3 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses. In the penultimate match, they won in an away match against TPS Turku, by (0-1). In the last match, they tied in a home match against Honka Espoo, by (1-1). This is a stronger team in their stadium, where they have won 7 points, against only 4 in their away matches. In the last 10 away matches VPS Vaasa has won 2, tied 2 and lost 6. The team has conceded goals in 6 of the last 8 matches, so it has not presented great defensive solidity, but their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 8 matches for this competition. This is a team that usually does not feel difficult to open the scoring: it marked the first goal in 6 of the last 8 matches for the Veikkausliiga, of these 6 came to the break in advantage in 4 and managed to maintain the advantage until the end of the 90s ‘ in 3.

The VPS comes to this day with a draw against Honka, by 1-1, adding the third straight game without losing in this Finnish championship. We remember that the visitors won the TPS in the last game away from home. Normally the technician Petri Vuorinen plays in 3-4-2-1, privileging the possession of the ball and the slow attacks, nevertheless, and as it acts outside home, it must benefit the defensive organization and the counterattacks. The Finn Sebastian Strandvall is the great highlight of the VPS, with 5 goals scored. For this game the coach can count on all the players.