Finland League Cup

[sdforever]

If anyone could get us some information about formations,team news,injuries and statistics in the past,Would appreciate it a lot.By the way,if someone could add the coeficcients too because I really don't know how to.....

[Leadbelly]

	Friday 22 January 2010	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
	FC Haka v JJK Jyväskylä (11:30 GMT)	1.9	4	4.33	100.71 %
	FC Honka v TPS (13:00 GMT)	1.99	3.75	4.1	101.31 %

(for future reference - you get these by clicking on OddsChecker at the top of the page, then clicking Odds Comparison, select football on the lefthand menu, pick the relevant country and then copy and paste)

Don't know any team news, but you could always try the clubs websites.

[adam2009]

tps look nice odds ill have some of them at 4.1

[Jase82]

Originally Posted by adam2009

tps look nice odds ill have some of them at 4.1

Any reason?

[Mozzi]

Honka are a steal at that price. Honka only lost Perovuo over the break so have virtually a full-strength squad to choose from. Honka have been frustrated by TPS having drawn three games in a row with them now, the first of which was in this competition last year and saw Honka lose on penalties. Two successive draws in the Veikkausliiga can also be listed as one of the reasons that Honka didn't win the Veikkausliiga. To put it bluntly, Honka will be motivated for this game, they have the home advantage, and they've got a very strong squad.

TPS Turku were a force last year but it's hard to see them doing the same again. They've lost Brown, Kujala, Paatelainen, and Hämäläinen over the break, which is too much. They welcome back Virtanen but it's small consolation for a club that did so well last season - they're not strong enough to compete for trophies this year, in my opinion. They've also lost manager Rautiainen to Veikkausliiga champions HJK Helsinki so there's yet another hurdle for them to overcome today.

All in all, I can't see a broken and under-strength TPS Turku getting anything from Espoo today - the odds for Honka are a bargain.

Good luck all

[adam2009]

they finished level on points last year and as stated had two draws with honka, i actually expect TPS to have a good season this year and this will be a good start for them for me it looks a steal but i think it will be unders maybe a 1-0 win?

[Puntteri]

As Mozzi mentioned already TPS have weakened significantly during the winter, the names probably do not mean too much for most punters here, but they have lost 4 key players and the coach.

Honka is unchanged except of the transfer of Perovuo to Djurgården, a couple of other midfielders might be absent also tomorrow - Schuller for sure because of injury - but Honka have the widest material in the League for midfield so the quantity is not the problem. Perovuo might be missed though, he was the both the anchor and the playmaker in the midfield forming a good axis with center back Hakanpää and top striker Hermanni Vuorinen.

This competition itself is a bit funny and not too important, the 14 league clubs have been divided into two geographical groups, and 5 out best 6 teams are in the southern one. No one seems to complain.

The other match is postponed (to 26th Jan) due freezing temperatures, Honka match is played indoors.

In the league cup there are more questionmarks than in the league and most clubs are still testing new players and exact estimations are difficult to give, but Honka´s probability of win is around 50-55 %. Or perhaps a bit more, we will see it tomorrow.

There is no reason yet to believe that TPS would be again in the top three, but the leagues in Finland are sometimes very surprising.

The league starts in April, with hugely improved tv visibility as most matches are broadcast over the weekend, but there are still almost 3 months to go.

[Puntteri]

The problem with odds for smaller competitions like this is that you really should be always awake when the early prices are published. It is not uncommon to see big pricing errors, Honka for example was priced at 2.20 at silly bookies. Another example of massive bookie mistake was the other - unfortunately postponed - match between Haka and JJK where asian bookies offered first 1.80 for JJK + 1.25. By the time the match was cancelled the price had dropped to 1.69 for JJK + 0,75.

Bookies were saved by the weather this time, but there will be more errors, at the moment the odds for Finnish matches are mostly based on final tables of 2009, and soon they will take into account the League Cup results and friendlies which do not really tell you too much about anything. Example, again Honka;

they played three friendlies in December drawing with VPS and MyPa and winning Lahti easily. What you can not see from the results is that Honka substituted 10 players at half-time in each match, and that Lahti had only a couple of players from their first team along.

About today´s game, yes, I have Honka too. Honka coach Mika Lehkosuo was a bit mysterious when asked about the line-up, but most likely the two central midfielders will be 18 year old talents. If I had to pick match totals I would go for an over, but the price of that has dropped too and obviously I am not alone with my thoughts.



for all the patient readers a link to official transfer page; and another link to League Cup groups and fixtures

Now off to see the match. good luck.

[Mozzi]

Originally Posted by Mozzi

Honka are a steal at that price. Honka only lost Perovuo over the break so have virtually a full-strength squad to choose from. Honka have been frustrated by TPS having drawn three games in a row with them now, the first of which was in this competition last year and saw Honka lose on penalties. Two successive draws in the Veikkausliiga can also be listed as one of the reasons that Honka didn't win the Veikkausliiga. To put it bluntly, Honka will be motivated for this game, they have the home advantage, and they've got a very strong squad.

TPS Turku were a force last year but it's hard to see them doing the same again. They've lost Brown, Kujala, Paatelainen, and Hämäläinen over the break, which is too much. They welcome back Virtanen but it's small consolation for a club that did so well last season - they're not strong enough to compete for trophies this year, in my opinion. They've also lost manager Rautiainen to Veikkausliiga champions HJK Helsinki so there's yet another hurdle for them to overcome today.

All in all, I can't see a broken and under-strength TPS Turku getting anything from Espoo today - the odds for Honka are a bargain.

Good luck all

[bernar]

26.01.2010. - 15:30 h - Haka v. JJK

As far as I know, this game will be played outside, on artificial turf; temperature around -10 ( just like last Friday- correct me if I am wrong).

Haka has not signed any player since the end of last season ( there are couple of guys on a test period). On the other hand, three players left the club: defenders Pietari Holopainen ( 22 league games; 5 goals) and Petri Viljanen ( 18 league games) and midfielder Mika Mäkitalo ( 23 games; 4 goals). Sami Ristilä is ( still) a coach of this team. About friendly games: they played against PoPa Pori last Friday, and won 3:0 (3:0).

JJK got a new coach: Kari Martonen. They brought three experienced players: defender Juha Pasoja from Adeccoligaen - Hamarkameratene ( 19 league games; 4 goals), midfielder Touko Tumanto from Inter Turku ( 14 league games) and attacker Mikko Hyyrynen from FF Jaro ( 23 league games; 4 goals). JJK played two games in this preseason period: in early december they played with KPV (0:0); in January won against MP Vehkalampi 5:1 (2:0).

Last season, JJK managed to grab 4 points in their mutual matches: draw at Harjun (0:0) and won at Valkeakoski ( 2:4).

Conditions for football are very bad, I suppose ( can someone from Finland describe for us state of field?). When markets have been opened ( last week), odds on Haka were around 1.35-1.60 ( funny). Now, odds are around 1.80-1.95 on HW. For me, realistic odds would be around 2.00 ( minimum) for HW. So, DC on JJK ( between 1.80-2.00) or under 2.5 would be my choices.

X2........
under 2.5 @ 2.01 (Pinnacle Sports)

Other oppinions? Advices?

[Supamanu]

My book has Haka even money basically to win (ml), think its a good one to take? Right now only money line is posted so there is no option for JJK + goals.

[Puntteri]

Originally Posted by bernar

26.01.2010. - 15:30 h - Haka v. JJK

As far as I know, this game will be played outside, on artificial turf; temperature around -10 ( just like last Friday- correct me if I am wrong).

Haka has not signed any player since the end of last season ( there are couple of guys on a test period). On the other hand, three players left the club: defenders Pietari Holopainen ( 22 league games; 5 goals) and Petri Viljanen ( 18 league games) and midfielder Mika Mäkitalo ( 23 games; 4 goals). Sami Ristilä is ( still) a coach of this team. About friendly games: they played against PoPa Pori last Friday, and won 3:0 (3:0).

JJK got a new coach: Kari Martonen. They brought three experienced players: defender Juha Pasoja from Adeccoligaen - Hamarkameratene ( 19 league games; 4 goals), midfielder Touko Tumanto from Inter Turku ( 14 league games) and attacker Mikko Hyyrynen from FF Jaro ( 23 league games; 4 goals). JJK played two games in this preseason period: in early december they played with KPV (0:0); in January won against MP Vehkalampi 5:1 (2:0).

Last season, JJK managed to grab 4 points in their mutual matches: draw at Harjun (0:0) and won at Valkeakoski ( 2:4).

Conditions for football are very bad, I suppose ( can someone from Finland describe for us state of field?). When markets have been opened ( last week), odds on Haka were around 1.35-1.60 ( funny). Now, odds are around 1.80-1.95 on HW. For me, realistic odds would be around 2.00 ( minimum) for HW. So, DC on JJK ( between 1.80-2.00) or under 2.5 would be my choices.

X2........
under 2.5 @ 2.01 (Pinnacle Sports)

Other oppinions? Advices?

Actually also the 4th new signing for JJK is an experiended league player with over 200 league games, Jarkko Okkonen. He did play at Haka pairing Juha Pasoja as a center back some years ago, but was for a while concentrating on his studies and played at 3rd division to stay fit. And Pasoja would have a lot more international matches with the National Team but there was a Sami Hyypiä playing on his position. The biggest signing yet is the coach, Kari Martonen with Honka & Haka background and the signs from JJK camp have been very positive.

Haka is also testing striker Jukka Santala who would probably bring some life into the very anemic offence of Haka.

Conditions are cold, the pitch is artificial and outside unless they decide to to change it indoors at Hämeenlinna. No home support to be expected for this arctic encounter on a training ground.

The handicaps are not that much wrong anymore, last week bookies offered +1.25 for JJK but were saved by the arctic conditions.

[bernar]

Originally Posted by Puntteri

Actually also the 4th new signing for JJK is an experiended league player with over 200 league games, Jarkko Okkonen. He did play at Haka pairing Juha Pasoja as a center back some years ago, but was for a while concentrating on his studies and played at 3rd division to stay fit. And Pasoja would have a lot more international matches with the National Team but there was a Sami Hyypiä playing on his position. The biggest signing yet is the coach, Kari Martonen with Honka & Haka background and the signs from JJK camp have been very positive.

Thank you for those informations...

[bernar]

Haka v. JJK 0:1 (0:0)
Abahassine (77)

[bernar]

30.01.2010. - 13:15 h - AC Oulu v. FF Jaro ( odds from bwin: 1.90 3.50 3.35)

31.01.2010. - 16:00 - IFK Mariehamn v. FC Honka ( odds from bwin: 2.50 3.20 2.50)


AC Oulu v. FF Jaro

Last year, Oulu won Ykkönen division. In this transfer period, they have brought two players: from RoPS, striker Juuso Majava ( 9 games + 2 goals last season) and defender Mika Lähderinne ( 24 games + 2 goals) from KPV. Only defender John Jonke ( 12 matches + 1 goal) and midfielder Tinho ( played only 4 matches) left the club. In preseason, Oulu played only one match, last week against FC OPA (7:0).

Jaro has problems in defensive line: 3 very important defensive players left the club, Jani Tanska ( 20 league matches + 1 goal), Kristian Kojola ( 26 games + 2 goals) and Jens Portin ( 25 league games)... Also, midfielder Jonas Emet ( 25 games + 3 goals) and two strikers: Mikko Hyyrynen ( 23 games + 4 goals) and Jani Koivisto ( 15 matches + 4 goals). Couple of young and talented players came this winter: Nosh A Lody ( HJK, Klubi-04), Jani Bäckman ( Honka, Klubi-04), Tommi Haanpää ( Jaro, Seinäjoen JK), Thomas Kula ( Jakobstads Bollklubb) and midfielder Ymer Xhaferi (PK-35). Preseason games: won against JBK Tellushalli (3:0) and FC OPA (4:1)... lose against KPV (1:3).

History of mutual matches: only 3 games and 3 Oulu victories in 2007.

It is early I know that, but I think these odds ( under 1.91) are pretty low on HW. This is first serious, official match for both sides this year, and beside these problems in Jaro`s defense, I think they have enough quality to do something in this match. Oulu is not such favorite...

X2 @ 1.71 (bwin)

[Puntteri]

I will probably skip both of these unless something valuable comes up or odds move significantly. In the first match two poor teams meet and Jaro have changed (weakened ) a lot since last year and have several absentees as well, in the other one two good teams face each other, well there my first instict says it could be underish.

[Puntteri]

Having taken another look at the injury list of Jaro I took AC Oulu - 0,5 @ 2.00, but Oulu is not a club that I will be backing a lot this season. They seriously lack quality in every other department except manager.

IFK Mariehamn - FC Honka has been relocated indoors, if my memory serves me right the new venue Eckeröhallen is a bit small.

[bernar]

Originally Posted by Puntteri

Having taken another look at the injury list of Jaro

Hi Puntteri... Please, can you write couple of important names ( or any name) from that injury list... I can not find it... Thank you...

[Puntteri]

http://www.veikkausliiga.com/News.aspx?type=1&ID=37745

Bolded players not playing for various reasons. Also some good news, at least in a matter of quantity, new signing from div 2 Kåre Björkstrand.

"Viikonlopun Tammiturnaus verotti FF Jaron rivejä ikävästi. Heikki Ahon ohella myös testissä oleva Ilja Vaganov on viikonlopun jäljiltä loukkaantuneiden kirjoissa.

Vaganovin polvi vääntyi pahannäköisesti viikonloppuna ja miehen sairasloman pituus selviää näinä päivinä. Viikonloppuna loukkaantuneen kaksikon lisäksi pois harjoitusvahvuudesta Jarolla ovat edelleen pitkäaikaistoipilaat Jani Sarajärvi ja Petter Meyer. Jari Sara harjoittelee joukkueen mukana muuten normaalisti, mutta peliharjoituksiin nuorukainen ei vielä osallistu. Lisäksi Tommi Haanpää on armeijassa ja Marco Matrone on testissä Englannissa.

[bernar]

Uf... almost complete defense out... Also, Meyer and Matrone are very important missings... Odds on Oulu are dropping ( now around 1.75; very low, I think)... I will wait untill tomorrow, to decide what to do. Thank you Puntteri...