HJK’s form declined recently, securing just one win in their last four Veikkausliiga games. VPS are undefeated in their league games since May, so I am predicting a draw on Saturday.
Key Stats
- HJK are winless in 3 of their last 4 home matches (Veikkausliiga).
- HJK have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 6 home matches.
- HJK have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 7 matches against VPS.
- VPS have drawn 3 of their last 5 away matches.
- VPS have seen BTTS in their last 2 away matches.
Helsinki Side Dominate H2H
HJK have won 49 out of 73 head to head matches so far, VPS claiming 9 victories while 15 games ended without a winner.
HJK at Just 40% Win Rate This Season
HJK have been underperforming in the Veikkausliiga this season, collecting 22 points in 15 matches and sit in 5th place, eight points short of the table leaders KuPS.
Their recent form has been quite poor, wrapping up June with a convincing 4-0 home defeat to KuPS (their Ville Tikkanen was sent off in the 12th minute here), while also losing on their trip to Lahti 2-0 last weekend.
The only positive outcome for the Helsinki side recently was a 2-1 victory over Ilves in the Finnish Cup semifinals, Alfie Cicale scoring the winning goal in the 80th minute.
VPS Unbeaten Since May
VPS have been a tough team to beat this season in the Veikkausliiga, sitting in 3rd place with 27 points after 15 rounds and holding the best defensive record in the league (allowed just 11 goals).
Their results in the second part of June were fantastic, recording back to back victories against SJK 2-1 and Oulu 5-1, while wrapping up the month with a 1-1 draw against Gnistan.
After crushing Mariehamn 4-0 in the July opener, VPS claimed another set of points last Friday at home against SJK 1-0, Sayibu Yakubu appearing on the scoresheet (own goal).
Team News
Hosts will be without Emil Toivonen, Antton Nylund and David Ezeh, all three recovering from injuries. Mads Borchers is their top scorer with seven goals, while veteran Teemu Pukki has four goals and four assists.
VPS have no reported injuries or suspensions ahead of this clash. Luka Smyth is topping their scoring charts with seven goals.