Matchday 11 of the Finnish Veikkausliiga gets underway this weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Tampereen Ilves welcome FC Lahti to Tampere Stadium.
The two sides are separated by three points in the table, with sixth-place Tampereen Ilves leading tenth-place FC Lahti. However, Ilves have a game in hand over Lahti.
FC Lahti eteni vaikeuksien kautta Suomen Cupin puolivälieriin, kun Atlantis kaatui lukemin 4-2. Chinedu Geoffrey osui kahdesti ja Macoumba Kandji ja Albion Ademi komppasivat.Lue otteluraportti: https://t.co/Gomh356zkG #FCLahti #Veikkausliiga #SuomenCup #LAHATL #Lahti— FC Lahti (@FCLahti1996) June 14, 2022
FC Lahti eteni vaikeuksien kautta Suomen Cupin puolivälieriin, kun Atlantis kaatui lukemin 4-2. Chinedu Geoffrey osui kahdesti ja Macoumba Kandji ja Albion Ademi komppasivat.Lue otteluraportti: https://t.co/Gomh356zkG #FCLahti #Veikkausliiga #SuomenCup #LAHATL #Lahti
With Lahti sitting just six points clear of last-place HIFK, they will be desperate to avoid defeat on Saturday in order keep themselves away from the relegation zone.
At the opposite end of the table, Ilves find themselves just inside the top six with a record of three wins, three draws and three losses.
Not only have Ilves avoided defeat in each of their last three league games, but they have also lost just one of their previous seven.
When you look at the bigger picture, Ilves have lost two of their past nine encounters across all competitions.
On top of that, Ilves have won each of their previous three home games in the Veikkausliiga – scoring over 2.5 goals two occasions during that period.
As for Lahti, they have managed to win just two of their ten Veikkausliiga outings this term – recording three draws and five losses in the process.
Consequently, only two sides – ninth-place SJK and twelfth-place HIFK – have suffered more defeats than Lahti this season.
In addition to being the fourth-lowest scorers in the division, Lahti also have one of the worst defensive records. Indeed, they have conceded 16 goals in ten games.
That said, they can take confidence from the fact that they have lost just one of their previous seven away outings in the Veikkausliiga.
Head-to-head: Across the past eight meetings between Ilves and Lahti, both sides have picked up four wins apiece.
Four of the previous five encounters between Ilves and Lahti have dished up over 2.5 goals, meaning Saturday’s clash should be a high-scoring affair.
Team news: Having scored six goals in eight Veikkausliiga outings this season, 19-year-old Kai Meriluoto is Ilves’ danger man.
Seven different players have scored for Lahti in the Veikkausliiga this term, meaning they are likely to pose a threat from all areas of the pitch.
With home advantage on their side, Ilves are expected to see off a Lahti side who have won just two of their ten league outings this season.
Forebet predicts that both teams will combine for over 2.5 goals on Saturday. However, Ilves are expected to come out on top.