Ilves vs HJK Helsinki Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

HJK go chasing their latest league victory this weekend, as the runaway leaders head to Tampere to meet Ilves. Can the reigning champions claim another victory this weekend, or will Ilves be able to surprise everyone with another result at home. With a 10 point gap opening up at the top already, few expect anything but HJK kicking on to lift the title again. However, will their push for top spot take a hit against the side currently fifth in the Veikkausliiga?

Ilves do come in to this clash unbeaten at home, winning two and drawing five at this ground. They’ve been relying on their home results to keep them in the top half, after some troubles on their travels this term. However, they’ve been able to turn their own ground in to a fortress this season, but will that record hold out against a HJK side who are looking good for more success?

The Helsinki outfit are in fantastic form, and they have won seven games on the spin ahead of this weekend’s clash. They’ve picked up 2.71 points per game this season on the road, and they’re heading here expecting to claim another three points. They have the best home and away record in the league, along with topping the current form table. We expect little will stop the champions from securing three points here, but we also don’t see this being an easy game for the visitors.

They come to a side who aren’t just getting results at home, but clean sheets too. Ilves have let in just 0.4 goals per game at home, so HJK are unlikely to come here and tear through their backline. The champions haven’t been that free scoring away from home, with 1.2 goals per game on their travels, despite all of their victories. So far, all of their away wins have come by a single goal, so expect another narrow result in this difficult trip.

The visitors have seen under 25 goals land in 57% of their trips this season, while 69% of Ilves Veikkausliiga matches have seen fewer than three goals. We don’t see this turning in to a high scoring affair, with the visitors winning to nil in 43% of their league games. As a result, we think the best value here is to back a HJK win and under 2.5 goals to be scored in the match, while a 1-0 victory is our correct score pick.