Fourth-place HIFK Helsinki can move level with top-of-the-table Inter Turku when the two teams clash in the Finnish Veikkausliiga on Friday.
Inter Turku currently leads the way in Finland’s top tier after losing just two of their opening nine games this season, but HIFK Helsinki are only three points behind the league leaders.
Inter come into this game having won three of their last four league outings. Jose Riveiro’s side saw off Haka twice during that period and also beat Mariehamn.
Last year’s runners-up scored two goals in each of their previous three wins, taking their overall tally to 16 goals in nine league games this term.
However, it is Inter’s defensive record that is most impressive. They have only conceded seven goals so far this season.
Inter’s home form has also been immense. They have won five straight league games at Veritas Stadium and have lost just two of their previous 14 league games on home soil.
Meanwhile, HIFK Helsinki lost two of their opening three league games this season but have since gone unbeaten in their last five.
Their impressive five-game unbeaten run – which included four wins and one draw – has propelled the club to fourth in the standings.
After a disappointing 2019 campaign, Tor Thodesen’s men are already on course to better last season’s seventh-place finish.
While Inter have been strong at home, HIFK have been equally as impressive on the road. In fact, the Helsinki outfit are unbeaten in their previous seven Veikkausliiga away games.
Head-to-head: Remarkably, Inter haven’t lost to HIFK since 2015. Inter are unbeaten in their last ten meetings with HIFK – winning seven and drawing three.
It’s also worth pointing out that both teams have scored in each of their previous five meetings, while over 1.5 goals have been scored in their last seven encounters.
Team news: Inter Turku have no injury concerns heading into this game, although midfielder Alvaro Muniz is one yellow card away from a suspension.
HIFK will be without right-back Macario Hing-Glover, as the 25-year-old continues to recover from a serious knee injury.
Inter Turku have started the new Veikkausliiga season in strong fashion, but HIFK will be eager to extend their five-game unbeaten run this week.
Looking at their recent meetings, both teams are likely to score. However, Forebet predicts that HIFK will hold the league leaders to a low-scoring draw.