HJK Helsinki vs KuPS Kuopio Predictions

• HJK Helsinki are winless in their last three Veikkausliiga matches, losing the last two.
• KuPS Kuopio have won three of their last five away league games and sit top of the table.
• HJK have scored one goal in total across their last five league and cup matches.

Klubi face test of champion credentials

HJK Helsinki face the sternest test of their title credentials from table-toppers KuPS Kuopio on Saturday and the hosts could hardly be in worse shape for the contest.

The champions, who took the crown by a solitary point from second-placed KuPS last season, are without several key players and in a goalscoring rut that has led to three straight defeats in all competitions.

This week’s cup exit on penalties to Inter Turku came from another blunt display in attack and Klubi have now managed to score just one goal in their last 450 minutes of football. HJK appear to be in a downward spiral as injuries, plus the news of the 2016 conviction which brought about the termination of Jair’s contract, have left the team looking lifeless on the pitch.

KuPs in better shape than their downcast hosts

KuPS are in much better shape as coach Simo Valakari rested half his regular starters in the cup this week while new signing Filip Valencic is champing at the bit to make his debut. The Canaries have won three of their last five away games in the league, their only defeat coming at Honka where they had more shots, corners and possession than their hosts but had a man sent off midway through the second half.

HJK remain the champions and, at home, they could rouse themselves from this trough to grab some kind of result, but they shouldn’t be strong favourites for this game. Backing the visitors in the drawn no bet market makes more sense and it’s also worth looking at a 1-0 away win forecast given HJK’s potency problems at the moment.

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