Ilves Tampere vs. HJK Helsinki: Preview and betting tips

While Viktoria Plzeň is off before the home leg of the Champions League second round, Helsinki will not be resting this weekend, as they have an important league game ahead of them. What to expect from their match with Tampere and what to bet on?

Tampere have struggled in recent weeks, winning only one of their last four games and losing their position in the Top 5. They are only two points behind fourth-placed AC Oulu, so the cups are still realistic, almost within reach.

After a good performance at home on Wednesday, HJK fell to Plzeň 1:2 in the second round of the Champions League, keeping second place in the league behind the first KuPS. They are three points behind the current leader of the competition and have an extra match to play.

The home side is led by Petteri Pennanen, the experienced central midfielder has scored seven times and assisted twice. Nineteen-year-old forward and Finnish U21 international Kai Meriluoto has eight goals and one assist.

In the absence of their top scorer, the visitors rely on talented Serbian Bojan Radulovic, who has six goals. Santeri Väänänen may not be productive from midfield, but against Plzen we saw why he is one of the team’s leaders at the age of 20, and only started getting chances now in July.

Tampere is struggling in attack, having the second worst of the league’s top eight, scoring more than once extra time in only one of the last four games.

On the other hand, HJK’s defense is pacing the league, scoring more than one goal in only one of the last six games.

Considering HJK’s good performance against the favorite from Plzeň, I think they will beat the underdog from Tampere.