HJK Helsinki host KuPS on Saturday at the Telia 5G-areena. HJK are fifth in the Finnish Veikkausliiga and sit just one point behind third-place KuPS.
The Helsinki-based club could go top of the Veikkausliiga if results go their way this weekend. HJK won the Veikkausliiga last term and look good to repeat the feat once more this term.
KuPS finished third in last year’s league table. They have started the Veikkausliiga well and will push for the league title this term. Manager Jani Honkavaara’s team has collected 22 points from 39 possible.
The Canaries have won two straight matches in the Veikkausliiga and outscored their two opponents 7-2. In their last league fixture, KuPS blasted FC Lahti 5-1. Despite KuPS’s last two matches featuring over 2.5 goals scored, their previous four saw under 2.5 tallied.
HJK defeated IFK Mariehamn last time out. Manager Toni Koskela’s team has won three of their last four Veikkausliiga matches.
The Klubi have posted the best home record in the league this term at 3W-3D-1L. HJK have recorded a brilliant 12 points from 21 possible at the Telia 5G-areena. Three of HJK’s last six home matches have all ended in over 2.5 goals scored.
Koskela’s team does have one issue at home and that is conceding goals. HJK have conceded seven times while scoring 10 goals. HJK are undefeated in five of their last six matches, however. Their most recent home fixture against Honka ended in a 1-0 defeat.
KuPS feature the Veikkausliiga’s second highest scorer Rangel. The forward has tallied seven of KuPS’s 22 goals for 32% of their scoring. Rangel could get on the scoresheet once more for the Canaries at the weekend thanks to his good form.
Rangel has scored four goals in his last two games. That includes a brilliant hat-trick in KuPS’s 5-1 win over FC Lahti last time out. Ville Saxman has chipped in with four goals of his own and is eighth in the league’s scoring charts.
Despite KuPS’s bright start to the season, they have struggled against HJK in their last six meetings. HJK are undefeated in five of six matches against KuPS in all competitions. The Helsinki-based club have posted a 3W-2D-1L record.
Two of the six meetings between HJK and KuPS have ended in over 2.5 goals scored. Saturday’s fixture could see the two teams combined for over 2.5 goals once more as HJK continue their league leading home form.