HJK vs IFK Mariehamn Prediction: The home side are favourite

HJK will welcome IFK Mariehamn to the Bolt Arena on Saturday in one of the most interesting Finland Veikkausliiga fixtures of the weekend. Previews, H2H, expert tips, and odds are provided below.

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After their disappointment in the Champions League, Helsinki FC is determined to regain their form and secure a victory in their upcoming match. With the seventh home win of the season in their sights, the team is motivated to perform at their best.

Two key players, Rogic and Olusanya, are competing for a spot in the starting lineup and are eager to make a significant impact on the game. Their contributions could be crucial in helping Helsinki FC achieve their goal of bouncing back from their recent elimination.

In the current Veikkausliiga standings, Helsinki FC is positioned third with 34 points obtained from 18 games. The team has displayed both offensive and defensive prowess, scoring 27 goals while conceding only 13.

With such a strong record at home and the determination to succeed, Helsinki FC will be looking to capitalize on their strengths and secure another important victory in the league. Their focus on getting back to winning ways after the European setback will be the driving force behind their performance in the upcoming fixture.

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After a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Inter Turku, Mariehamn enter their next match with a desire to bounce back. However, facing the strong team of HJK, Mariehamn will have a challenging task ahead. Mariehamn will be hoping to put their previous poor performance behind them and put up a strong fight against HJK. With no fresh injury concerns in the away team, Mariehamn will have a stable squad at their disposal, which may provide some confidence for their upcoming match.

Currently placed at the bottom of the league table with 14 points from 17 games, Mariehamn need to improve their goal-scoring and defensive efforts to climb up the rankings. With 15 goals scored and 23 goals conceded so far, there is room for improvement in both attacking and defensive aspects of their game.

Despite their current position in the table, Mariehamn will be eager to defy the odds and put on a spirited performance against HJK. A positive result in this match could boost their morale and propel them to work towards climbing higher in the league standings.

Looking at their previous head-to-head meetings, it is clear that HJK has had the upper hand, winning four out of the six encounters. IFK Mariehamn managed to secure a single victory, and they shared one draw. The goal tally heavily favors HJK, with nine goals scored by them and only two by IFK Mariehamn. This gives an average of 1.83 goals per game in their previous matchups.

In their most recent league contest on 27th May 2023, the match ended in a goalless draw, indicating a tight and closely contested encounter between the two teams.

Considering HJK's dominance in their past meetings and their current position as one of the top teams in the league, they are likely to approach this match as the favorites. I expect them to get their wins right away from the first 45 minutes.

• Total 1: Over 1.5 for 1.80 odds
• Over 2.5 for 1.83 odds
• HT: W1 for 2.00 odds