Home and Away: HJK aiming to put mixed form behind them

Jonno Turner turns his attentions to Scandinavia as he looks for profit in the Finnish and Swedish leagues today...

We're off to Finland for our first selection of today - and the Veikkausliiga, as HJK Helsinki line up against FC Inter at the Sonera Stadium.

The hosts sit top of the table ahead of this one - but with three sides all on the same points total and jostling for pole position, a win here is integral if Sixten Bostrom's side want to keep themselves in front of the chasing pack.

Having swept all before them over the past few years, the Klubi have not been their normal selves this season - and, after some inconsistent form of late, some would even say that they are lucky to still be in first place going into this clash.

But two wins from their last three shows that the hosts do still have the quality to punish the rest of the sides in this division - particularly on their own patch - and I think they're good value to do so here.

Inter travel to this clash in mixed form themselves, and line up in an underwhelming seventh place ahead of this encounter.

Job Dragstma's charges have won just one of their last half a dozen, which is hardly the best preparation for a visit to the champions - and eight losses from their last 11 on the road suggests that the Sinimustat have been suffering from travel sickness of late.

It is seven outings since the visitors kept a clean sheet in the league, and I think that could play a large part in the outcome of this game.

Make no mistake about HJK - they have been out of sorts in recent weeks, but they still have more than enough in the final third to give them the edge here.

Bet 1: HJK Helsinki (HOME) @ 1.69

 

Staying in Scandinavia now, but switching our focus to Sweden - as Division 2 leaders Enskede travel to Varmdo, looking to extend their margin at the top of the table.

Some impressive recent form has seen the Stockholm side establish a two point gap on nearest rivals Motala - and with 12 goals scored in their last five outings, they will be hoping that their firepower can secure them maximum points here, too.

Hakan Andersson's side have won two of their last three away from their own patch, smashing nine goals in the process, and that stands them in good stead for this trip to fourth placed Varmdo.

The hosts line up for this clash with three losses from four outings, and that will have knocked confidence down at the Varmdovallen.

Jussi Kontinen's charges have shipped an average of two goals per game in that time, and that suggests that we could see goals here.

A 5-1 thrashing of Assyriska in their last home outing will have boosted morale, but two losses from their last three in front of their own fans indicates that that victory could be an anomaly, and it remains to be seen if the Blues can build on that against the league leaders.

Bet 2: Enskede (AWAY) @ 2.12

Bet HERE

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