HJK Helsinki v SJK

HJK Helsinki vs SJK Preview

HJK Helsinki dropped down the Veikkausliiga table to fifth place following a 1-0 defeat away from home at Oulu last Friday which now makes it just two wins out of their last eight league matches for the hosts, while SJK also suffered defeat in last week's action, being handed a 2-0 defeat on home soil by Mariehamn, so it's fair to say that both teams will be eager to set the record straight here at the Bolt Arena on Friday night.

HJK have produced a mixed bag of results in the Finnish top flight in recent weeks as the hosts have been handed defeats by the likes of VPS and Oulu and although the home side have also captured victories over Inter Turku and Gnistan respectively, it's worth pointing out that both of these wins were against lower half opposition.

After posting back-to-back defeats on home soil at their Bolt Arena against Lahti and Mariehamn, HJK have managed to muster just two further victories from their subsequent eight games overall in the Veikkausliiga so the prospects of capturing all three points here against SJK look to hang in the balance.

Goals may also be in short supply on Friday night as six out of HJK's last 10 matches overall have resulted in Under 2.5 goals being scored.

SJK still remain in third place in the Veikkausliiga standings despite slipping to a surprising 2-0 defeat at home to seventh placed Mariehamn but the visitors will still fancy their chances of bouncing back with a win here on Friday night at the Bolt Arena having posted back-to-back wins previously.

Victories gained over Inter Turku and Lahti should still give Stevie Grieve's side plenty of belief and confidence heading into this upcoming encounter, while the bigger picture shows SJK have been handed just two defeats so far in this Finnish top flight campaign.

Losses to Haka and Mariehamn, both by 2-0 margins, have been outweighed by picking up five wins within their opening 10 league matches to date this term which includes collecting wins on the road at Gnistan and Lahti as well.

However, the goals market may appeal here as six out of SJK's 10 league matches overall have resulted in Under 2.5 goals along with three of their four away games so far in this campaign also producing two goals or less.

HJK Helsinki v SJK Verdict

Both HJK Helsinki and SJK head into this upcoming encounter at the Bolt Arena on the back of defeats so both sides will be keen to rectify things in this clash.

However, games involving HJK and SJK have seen goals being in short supply and a low-scoring affair may unfold here on Friday night with perhaps SJK getting the nod by a narrow 1-0 margin.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 2.05

Other side bets worth considering:

SJK win @ 3.20

Correct Score: SJK 1-0 @ 11.00