TPS – HJK Prediction & Picks (18.05.2018)

TPS Turku and HJK Helsinki meet at Paavo Nurmi Stadion, in a match for the 9th round of the Veikkausliiga. In the last 3 years there is only record of 2 direct confrontations between these two teams: one on 28-09-2014, which ended in a victory of the HJK Helsinki by (1-4), and another one more on 23-06-2014 , which ended in a victory for HJK Helsinki by (5-0). the HJK Helsinki presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.

TPS Turku:

After 1 win, 2 draws and 4 losses, the home team is currently in the 10 th position, with 5 points won. In the last match, they have tied with PS Kemi, by (2-2), after in the previous match they have lost (0-1) at home, against VPS Vaasa. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 7 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 27 goals scored and 20 conceded; against 9 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses at their stadium, with 34 goals scored and 9 conceded. TPS Turku has won 4, tied 4 and lost 2 of the last 10 home matches. The team has conceded goals to the opponent in 6 of the last 7 matches for this competition, so it has not been very strong defensively. In 9 games, he never got the comeback in the 4 games in which he suffered the first goal.

The TPS is going through a very complicated moment in the season and at this moment it has registered four consecutive matches without winning. In the last game for the championship the locals tied 2-2, against Kemi. It is important to underline that the TPS has not yet won any victory at home. In this game against his fans, coach Mika Laurikainen must line up in the usual 4-2-3-1, with Valakari being responsible for organizing and creating the offensive process. However, the best finisher of the TPS is the far left Aaritalo, with 3 goals scored. Everything indicates that the local coach can count on all his usual players.

HJK :

After 5 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses, the away team is currently in the 2 nd position, with 16 points won. In the penultimate match, they lost in a home match against FC Lahti, by (1-2). In the last match, they won in an away match against PS Kemi, by (1-2). This is a team that, oddly enough, was better outside than at home, as in the last 30 matches they register 10 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in away matches; against 8 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses at their stadium. The team comes to this match after a home defeat with Inter Turku by (0-1). For the championship, HJK Helsinki won 13 points out of 15 possible points, after 4 wins and 1 draw in the last 5 away matches.

For this competition, they have not lost any of the last 5 away matches. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 8 matches for this competition. In the last 7 away matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 4 of their 7 goals between minutes (61′-75 ‘).

The HJK left for this unmotivated match, fruit of the defeat at home against Inter Turku, by 0-1, thus being eliminated from the Finnish Cup. In the last match for the championship, the visitors won away from home to Kemi by 1-2: the goals were scored by Ajo and Klauss. In this match, coach Mika Lehkosuo will play in 4-2-3-1, privileging possession of the ball and organized attacks, mainly through the flanks. It is important to underline that the HJK has competition in the air game, defensive set pieces and finishing. Klauss is still the best finisher of the team, with 4 goals scored. Pelvas will be out of injury.