Nordic Football News

Sorry for the recent silence as far as NFN’s Finland section is concerned. If you’re wondering why we’re so quiet over the U21 European Championships, we have a simple explanation: Egan is following the tournament in Sweden as it unfolds, and is covering the proceedings for ESPN Soccernet. Meanwhile, I will treat you to a Veikkausliiga preview.

FC Honka (7th) – KuPS (14th), Wednesday 6:30 PM

KuPS are in the middle of some turbulence now. Tuomas Rannankari and Petteri Pennanen were just sold to Twente, weakening the already vulnerable side. In addition, head coach Kai Nyyssönen was sacked and Esa Pekonen stepped down from his position as director of football to replace Nyyssönen. No surprise really, given that KuPS currently occupy the relegation spot and are two points behind RoPS, who have two games in hand. However, either Pekonen’s arrival was not much of a confidence boost or he did not have enough time to get his ideas through, as they went down to VPS a week ago. Honka have had a difficult start to the season by their own standards, but KuPS will still have to set up the barricades if they want a point or three.

Honka, who return to their home ground in Espoo after some maintenance, are missing John Weckström and Markus Paatelainen. KuPS will have to deal without Jussi-Pekka Savolainen and Atte Hoivala, who is clearly an appreciated player at the club, given that KuPS’ website doesn’t know him.

Home win

Haka (1st) – FC Lahti (8th), Wednesday 6:30 PM

Haka have started surprisingly well and are currently topping the league, while Lahti are one of the number of teams who would have wanted to pick up a few points more. Haka suffered a surprise loss against IFK Mariehamn last week, but still go into this one as favourites, especially because Lahti have suffered an unbeaten run that now stretches to four games.

Kalle Parviainen and Valeri Minkenen are out for Haka, Pietari Holopainen is doubtful. Lahti go into the game without Jukka Veltheim, Mika Hänninen and Jussi Heikkinen.

Home win

TPS (6th) – RoPS (13th), Wednesday 6:30 PM

TPS’ performances have varied a bit. They have had some problems at home, but on the bright side they have picked a good number of points on the road. RoPS are a bit easier to predict, as they have been losing both home and away. They are not helped by the fact that picking the squad is not an easy job for Mika Lumijärvi and Zeddy Saileti, because Ville Syväjärvi, White Simwanza, Janne Turpeenniemi and possibly Echiabi Okudogha.

TPS have no real injuries, but will be affected by some absencies. Jukka Lehtovaara and Kasper Hämäläinen played 90 minutes on Monday in Finland’s last U21 European Championship fixture, and are unlikely to start the game against RoPS. Mika Ääritalo has participated in full training and played a few games with Kakkonen’s ÅIFK, but it is unsure whether he will return to Veikkausliiga action against RoPS. Either way, TPS should take the game.

Home win

FF Jaro (4th) – IFK Mariehamn (2nd), Wednesday 6:30 PM

Both teams are higher up in the league table than anyone thought they would be. Maybe rightly so, as both teams know how to play good football. Jaro are more interested in keeping the ball on the ground and building their attacks patiently, while IFK Mariehamn’s way of playing is more about doing the hard work. Jaro are still unbeaten at home, but IFK are a good away team. I can’t really predict which side will edge it. The good thing is that I don’t have to, as I can just as well go for a draw. I’ll back it up with a home win on the basis of IFK Mariehamn’s numerous injuries.

Jaro are missing Heikki Aho, Jari Sara and Jani Sarajärvi, Jonas Portin and Jani Koivisto are doubtful. IFK Mariehamn have to deal without Arsim Gashi, Sasha Anttilainen, Dmytro Pronevych, Dmytro Volosyn and Willis Ochieng.

Draw

VPS (10th) – JJK (12th), Thursday 6:30 PM

VPS have won four in a row after Petri Vuorinen and Juha Reini took over. JJK upset Lahti last week to mark the club’s first win in the top flight. They have picked a few draws against better teams and have proven that there’s no room for underestimating their ability, but VPS still have the better players. Their form, better quality and home advantage make them the favourites, although the margins won’t be too big.

VPS are missing Jan Ahlvik, Antto Tapaninen is out for JJK.

Home win