IFK Mariehamn vs Lahti Predictions

The season may be in it’s early stages but already the state of play in Finland is suggesting that we may be in for an interesting campaign as the multiple Veikkausliiga champions, HJK Helsinki, have started the campaign in less than fluent fashion. Two of the sides who will perhaps not have championship ambitions come together this weekend at the Wiklöf Holding Arena as IFK Mariehamn face off against FC Lahti in a contest which perhaps has more consequences on the lower half of the table rather than the top.

IFK Mariehamn managed to secure their spot in the Suomen Cup final a few weeks ago as they overcame VPS Vaasa in a 3-1 victory, and they will be hoping that,that success can drive them on for the rest of the campaign. In the league, however, the hosts have not exactly been impressive and they have managed to claim just six points in their four games on home soil so far this term. That is not to say all is lost, as they come into this match as the second most in form side in the Veikkausliiga with 14 points from their last eight league matches.

The side hoping to upset the party this Sunday is a FC Lahti side who are not exactly the most in from side in the division at the moment. The visitors have been reasonably solid in recent outings but with just four points coming on the road so far, they know that they have plenty of work to do. FC Lahti’s trouble on the road is no doubt influenced by the fact that they have failed to find the back of the net on a consistent basis and that is shown perfectly by the fact that they have failed to score in 75% of their matches on the road.

With the hosts starting to find their feet in the league, they will no doubt approach this contest fully expecting to earn the three points. However, given that they have scored just three goals in their last four outings and their visitors struggle to find the back of the net on the road, we think that backing there to be less than 2.5 goals represents the best opportunity for a decent return.