Nordic Football News

The second round of games, similarly to the first, shrank a bit because newly promoted JJK joined the already too long list of teams who had to cancel their opening fixture. VPS and Haka kicked off the round yesterday, with the latter snapping a 1-0 away win thanks to a goal from Pietari Holopainen. Haka’s Sami Ristilä was sent off for a terrible sliding tackle in the first half, but that did not stop Haka from scoring and keeping a clean sheet. Highlights here.

One of the true classics of Finnish football. Tonight’s home side has had the edge in recent years, with TPS winning only twice since 1999, and it does not really look like the visitors can add another three points to the statistic today. HJK produced a solid if unsurprising performance on Saturday to beat KuPS 5-1. Meanwhile in Turku, TPS’ good pre-season form went down the drain in a 0-1 defeat to Haka, not least as a result of head coach Pasi Rautiainen’s somewhat controversial tactical decisions. They are a good team though, and if they return to the things that served them well in pre-season and do not mess around with the formation, HJK will have a tough game ahead of them. However, a win for the visitors would be a real surprise. HJK are missing Cheyne Fowler, while TPS’s Mika Ääritalo will still spend weeks recovering from an injury.

Home win, but a draw is not out of the question.

IFK beat last season’s champions in their first game, and now welcome one of this year’s favourites. It’s another clash of styles, with IFK’s quick, physical style contrasting with Honka’s more cultured game. Pekka Lyyski promises that his IFK side will play to their strengths, and with just Wilhelm Ingves and Patrik Rikama doubts, he has a strong side to pick from.

Honka’s only doubt is Marko Paatelainen.

Home win

Reigning champions Inter had to give the title trophy back to Veikkausliiga prior to their Monday’s clash at IFK Mariehamn, and they seemed to have let go of more than just a trophy. They did not play half as well as last year, and new signings Claudio Verino and Alberto Ramirez didn’t quite live up to expectations. More worryingly, Ville Nikkari was sent off for kicking a player who tackled him, and even Job Dragtsma failed to keep his calm when the Ålander who tackled Nikkari got away without a booking, pushing the fourth official away. Anyhow, there is a great list of things that must change if they are to take all three points tonight against MyPa, who start their season tonight (being another victim of the postponements). Add to the minus side Inter’s lengthy list of absentees (Timo Furuholm, Nikkari, Antonio Correia, Aristides Pertot, Pablo Gomez-Marttila, Jermu Gustafsson, Arttu Seppälä, Henri Lehtonen and Guillano Grot doubtful), and the writing’s on the wall.

Away win

KuPS are missing quite a few players, among them Betim Aliju and Jani Hartikainen, in addition to the possible abscencies Jussi-Pekka Savolainen and Ilja Venäläinen. It was always going to be a difficult job for the Kuopio side given Lahti’s better quality, but with KuPS missing so many players and striker Rafael returning to the Lahti squad quicker than expected, it feels like the game will only be played because somebody included it in the schedule. Lahti are missing some players too, but their quality should tell by the final whistle.

Home win. Big Home win.

Liigacup winners TamU start their season tonight due to Saturday’s postponement, and the same applies to Jaro. Expect an entertaining game: despite the fact that Jaro do not have a team full of stars, they don’t just play long balls and hope it will produce results. TamU also have a creative approach, and a clash between two open teams could well produce a few goals. Tampere United have a stronger squad on paper, but Jaro are definitely no pushovers.

Toni Järvinen, Henri Scheweleff, Chris James and Johannes Mononen are missing for TamU. Jaro are missing Jani Sarajärvi, Jari Sara, Jani Koivisto and Björn-Erik Sundqvist. Mikko Hyyrynen is doubtful with a flu.

Draw