Finland’s SJK can pull level with Veikkausliiga leaders FC Inter with a victory over rivals HIFK Helsinki. SJK sit fifth on 17 points from 33 possible and are just three points off of top spot with a game in hand.
HIFK are ninth in the Veikkausliiga table after 10 matches. The Helsinki-based club sit on 11 points which is five off of fifth place KuPS. If HIFK cannot finish in sixth-place or higher, they will be forced to play in the relegation playoffs when the league splits later this season.
Manager Tor Thodesen has watched his HIFK team play well despite their current position. They earned promotion to the top flight last season by winning the Ykkonen.
HIFK average just 0.90 goals per match and need their goal scorers to step up to ensure relegation is avoided. The good news for Thodesen is his side has been fantastic at home. HIFK have posted a 2W-3D-1L record at the Telia 5G-areena.
SJK have been equally as good on their travels. The Seinajoki-based club has a 2W-4D-0L record away from home. Ten of SJK’s 17 overall points have come in away fixtures. SJK have tallied 11 goals this term while conceding nine.
Goals in SJK away fixtures are hard to come by thanks to their defence. They have seen under 2.5 goals scored in 13 of their last 15 away games in the Veikkausliiga dating back to last season.
Manager Aleksei Borisovich Yeryomenko has received high-quality scoring from forward Denys Oliinyk. The SJK player has tallied five goals and accounted for nearly 50% of their scoring. Although Oliinyk is playing well, Yeryomenko will hope more SJK players can join in.
Three of the last six matches between HIFK and SJK have ended in draws. A trio of those six fixtures ended in under 2.5 goals scored while two matches finished in clean sheet wins for SJK.
SJK will have a difficult afternoon in Helsinki as HIFK’s Telia 5G-areena is a fortress. HIFK are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 Veikkausliiga home matches dating back to last term.
The Helsinki club is coming off a 2-1 win over VPS and will be buoyed by their form. HIFK are unbeaten in five straight league matches.
Although SJK are undefeated on the road this season, they will struggle to pick up all three points when they clash with HIFK. The two clubs should cancel each other out in a score draw.
Seven of the last 14 matches between HIFK and SJK have seen under 2.5 goals scored. Tuesday’s match should be another with the two sides finishing level.