The Finnish Veikkausliiga features a fascinating match this weekend as defending champion HJK visits SJK, a team that is setting the pace this year.
Notching the first goal could be vitally important in this tight clash. Bookmaker 10bet has the odds at 2.05 for SJK to score first and at 2.10 for HJK to bag the opening goal. The odds are at 8.00 for the teams to play out a second consecutive 0-0 draw.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: July 28th, 9:30 A.M. (EST)
SJK finds itself in the title race despite finishing only sixth last season. The club won its first Finnish championship in 2015, but SJK typically hasn’t even competed for a top-three spot in recent years, meaning that it would be a real Cinderella story if the team manages to hang on to the top spot.
Having conceded only 10 goals in 16 games, SJK boasts the best defensive record in Finland, but the team is also blessed with having one of the best strikers in the league. Nicaragua’s Jaime Moreno was picked up by SJK as a free agent in the winter and the 28-year-old has adjusted superbly to life in Northern Europe, scoring eight times in 14 Veikkausliiga appearances.
HJK, which trails SJK by four points, will counter with a top striker as well, with Bojan Radulovic leading the line. The Serbian forward has bagged 10 goals, which puts him tied with Oulu’s Ashley Coffey for the most goals scored in the league this season.
With 25 goals scored, HJK has the second-best attacking record in the league behind Oulu. The team has also been outstanding defensively as of late, registering three clean sheets in the past four outings. The last one came during a 1-0 shock victory in the Champions League qualifiers over Norway’s Molde.
HJK will be desperate to get past Molde and there’s a return leg coming up next week, but Toni Korkeakunnas’s side also needs a result against SJK to boost its chances of winning a fourth consecutive league title. It’s a tricky spot for the team as it’s going to be very difficult to perform at the highest level in three straight matches.
Will HJK’s busy schedule help SJK record a rare victory in this match-up? The team from Seinajoki won a friendly back in March against HJK, but in terms of competitive meetings, an 3-2 away triumph in 2021 marks SJK’s lone success over its Helsinki rival in 20 league games.
