RoPS vs IFK Mariehamn Predictions

The glamour ties in any division are often found at the top of the table as it is here where people aspire to be and where the best football is usually found. However, this weekend sees a fixture take place in the middle places of Finland’s top division which could see the victor kick on and push the top teams whilst the loser could be scrapping it out towards the bottom. With both RoPS and IFK Mariehamn locked on 15 points, it should be an intriguing contest.

RoPS are a side who have plenty of problems to address as, although they are a mid-table side, goal difference means that they currently sit third from bottom. The hosts have typically struggled in front of goal and have the lowest goals scored in the league with just nine goals coming in the league so far this season. It is not as if things have been particularly positive for their fans and to make matters worse, the five points they have managed on home soil represents one of the worst home records in the league.

Making the trip to Rovaniemen keskuskenttä is a IFK Mariehamn who know that they have the capabilities of upsetting any side in the division but who also know that they will need to improve on a recent run of form which has seen them lose three of their last four, with only a draw last time out breaking that run of defeats. Mariehamn’s lack of form has seen them slip down the table and although they match up pretty well against the rest of the division in terms of goals scored, they know that they will have to improve in front of goal as they have scored just three goals in their last six outings.

In a clash of two mid-table sides, you would be forgiven for thinking that there is very little to play for and get excited about. Unfortunately, we don’t think that this contest is one which will break that thought process as the hosts have seen under 2.5 goals being scored in 71% of their league matches this season while their visitors are in a poor spell in front of goal at the moment. With this in mind, we think backing this contest to finish with less than 2.5 goals scored represents the best opportunity for a decent return.