Lahti vs Haka – Wednesday June 20
Before last round hosts had a tough set of fixtures. They had the tough luck of encountering some of the best teams in Finland (Inter, HJK and Mypa, there are big chances that at the end of the season two those teams will sit in the first two places).
There were obvious problems in converting chances, even their coach Kautonen admitted that. But now they have a new signing, German midfielder Berndhart (he even managed to score past round). His arrival at the team seem to have given players a much needed confidence and will.
There are no new concerns in Lahti’s camp. Midfielder Taulo is the only one out, but this is not news.
Guests aren’t that bad as their league position says. Their main problems is their morale and the fact that they lose hope very rapidly when grey clouds appear. This happened past round when they lost at home to VPS. They dictated the rhythm in the 1st half but were inefficient and soft in the offense. Their efforts from the first half were in vain after the 2nd period started with a penalty for VPS. The game ended in that moment as Haka is not the kind of team that can bounce back.
No new injury concerns for Haka either.
The momentum belongs to Lahti no doubt about that. Their new signing invigorated the team, and at home they can be better than most their opponents.
Haka’s coach Ristila will have to work a lot on the morale and confidence of his players, work that will require some time and this game is too soon for them.
Lahti to win @ 2.25
Stake 3/10
Umea vs Varnamo – Wednesday 20 June
This is a game in which a draw won’t mean 1 point, but 2 lost points.
Even if the league is still a couple of games away from its half, the battle for survival isn’t neglected.
Coaches are aware that a draw would spell disaster for their teams (as they stated) so imagine in what this game will turn if an early goal will be scored. We will need memory pills to remember how many goals are scored…
Umea haven’t won a game since … many rounds, there are too many to count them all. But by winning this game all their sins will be forgotten (until next round…) Midfielder Wallerstedt is still out suspended for them.
Varnamo’s defense was just like a circus last round. Everyone seems to be sorry because of the result (lost 2-5) and hopes for better performances. They all know that the defense made silly errors that were easily punishable but in spite of that everyone keeps on talking about the offense. Coach Stahl in his interviews talks about attacking and scoring barely remembering that there are also 4 players in front of the keeper named “defenders”.
Under these circumstance, there’s no other possible outcome than over 2.5 goals.
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.75
Stake 3/10
Ljungskile vs Degerfors – Wednesday 20 June
As it was declared at the begging of the season as objective, hosts are promotion candidates this season.
Their game is lucid and pragmatic and in this manner they can clearly outplay most of the other teams in this league. They still have work to do as their away from home record shows, but when playing at home few teams will manage to leave with something.
Degerfors is in a clear downtrend. They find themselves in a morass now after 3 consecutive losses, games in which they, according to reports and highlights, they were dominated from begging to end.
Tough times are expected for the guests. They have to severely improve their game, to come up with new ideas or tactics otherwise the end of the season will catch them struggling in the same position. Forward Karikari is out injured, same as defender Olsson.
Ljungskile to win @ 1.6
Stake 3/10
Combo Bet – Wednesday 20 June
Umea – Varnamo , over 2.5 goals @ 1.75
Ljugnskile – Degerfors , home win @ 1.6
Lahti – Haka , home win @ 2.25
Total odds 6.3
Stake 2/10