Football – Finland – Ykkonen
Friday 25th July 2014 – Kickoff: 1730hrs
My final pick for tonight features two teams in the bottom half of the Finland Ykkonen league with hosts FC Jazz taking on Jyvaskyla at their Porin Stadion.
FC Jazz find themselves second from bottom of the Ykkonen with just 11 points to their name but they do have a five point margin over botom placed Vikingit. However, Jazz still occupy one of the two relegation places and they face another tricky opponent in Jyvaskyla on Friday night.
Jazz’s situation is not made any better by remaining still without a win on home turf so far this season with an overall dismal home record of 0-3-4 5/10 and their three points at home have been thanks to draws with Haka, Ilves and Vikingit while they’ve suffered defeats to FC Oulu, PK-35 Vantaa, Koo Tee Pee and JIPPO.
In addition, FC Jazz have failed to score in five of their seven home matches to date which is becoming a serious concern for players and fans alike.
Visitors Jyvaskyla actually sit level on 23 points with mid-table Haka going into tonight’s encounter and they’re unbeaten in their last five arches overall; four wins from the five matches actually with wins over Vikingit, HIFK Helsinki and JIPPO away from home along with a home win over Koo Tee Pee.
They’ve also gained a point off third placed Ilves Tampere in a 2-2 draw at home while their away record stands at 3-0-4 10/15. Now, this record may not appear to be too hot but when you consider they’ve won their last three on the trot away from home, it puts it into a better perspective.
Hilska (5 goals) and Kari (4 goals) – the latter also being JJK’s penalty taker, look to be the visitors’ most likely anytime goalscorers, and they both notched in JJK’s recent 3-2 win at JIPPO.
Quite simply, FC Jazz have been poor this season particularly at home, and with JJK’s attacking edge up front, I’ll back the visitors with the round ball (or draw no bet option) as they might win this one 2-1 anyway.
Pick: Jyvaskala AH0 @ 1.79 Betsson
