It’s 7th placed HIFK taking on 4th placed FC Lahti next up in the Finnish Veikkausliiga when the two teams face each other at the Bolt Arena in Helsinki with both teams eager to further their claims for a top six finish in the Finnish top flight.
HIFK have won 4, drawn 4 and lost 2 of their 10 matches played to date in this season’s Veikkausliiga but although the hosts have picked up wins against Haka, Oulu, KTP and Honka, they head into this upcoming clash on Monday night on the back of three games without a win.
Jake Dunwoody on ottanut ison roolin HIFK:n keskikentällä ja sen te hyvät kannattajat olette myös huomanneet! Ei siis tule yllätyksenä, että äänestitte Jaken eilisen ottelun Matsin Kingiksi! pic.twitter.com/srdfkwlwVD— HIFK Fotboll (@HIFKedustus) July 5, 2021
Jake Dunwoody on ottanut ison roolin HIFK:n keskikentällä ja sen te hyvät kannattajat olette myös huomanneet! Ei siis tule yllätyksenä, että äänestitte Jaken eilisen ottelun Matsin Kingiksi! pic.twitter.com/srdfkwlwVD
Draws with FC Lahti and Mariehamn (both away from home and both 0-0) have been either side of a 1-0 defeat at home to HJK, but at least HIFK Helsinki hold home advantage for this encounter where they’ve lost just three of their last 11 matches in the Finnish top flight.
HIFK have won only four of these 11 games however, while four draws have also been recorded and it’s worth noting that three of the previous six meetings with FC Lahti have ended up in stalemates.
Onto FC Lahti, and the visitors moved up into 4th place in the Veikkausliiga standings thanks to last weekend’s 2-1 home win against 5th placed SJK, while also extending their unbeaten run to seven games in the domestic top flight.
Victories over Honka, Mariehamn, Ilves and SJK along with three draws with Haka, HIFK and Inter Turku have helped lift the visitors up into the top six where they’ll be looking for a decent platform from which to make a challenge for a possible European spot in the Championship Round group.
However, that’s a long way off yet and having drawn three of their last four matches overall, FC Lahti may have to be patient and perhaps settle for a point apiece against HIFK whom they’ve shared the spoils with in previous exchanges.
FC Lahti have also managed to win just three of their last 12 away matches as well, while the draw has again featured prominently, with five of the 12 away games also ending in stalemate.
There’s previous history between HIFK and FC Lahti in terms of the draw and this Monday night’s clash may be no exception as both teams seem fairly evenly matched.