Veikkausliiga match prediction: Little separates HIFK and RoPS in quality

It's no vacation for neither HIFK nor RoPS as both were in action only a few days ago. Expect some tired legs on the pitch and/or possibly some changes to the lineups.

Everyone involved with the away team has to get their travel gear ready for this match as there's a whopping 800 kilometers to cover before arriving at the match.

HIFK form and stats

HIFK have collected 15 points from their home games so far after 4-3-2.

HIFK's previous game was a Veikkausliiga match also played at home, ending 1-0 versus RoPS. The home side are looking to build on that result. Prior to that, an away loss at Honka.

This is expected to be a close game, with HIFK perhaps considered small favourites due to their home advantage. Looking back at earlier matches similar to this one (expected to be close with HIFK as a small favourite), we find six games. HIFK has won 3 of these, drawn 1 and lost 2.

HIFK has scored 9 goals at home this season, in 9 matches. From these home matches, HIFK have conceded only 7 goals.

RoPS form and stats

As the visiting team RoPS, who have the fewest scored goals (10) in Veikkausliiga, have produced an overall stat of 3-1-4 so far. It's looking increasingly bleak for RoPS who now has to deal with a four game losing streak. KPV was the last time a defeat was avoided. Three might be a magic number, but there's been little wizardry in RoPS's last three away games as they have all been lost.

It might be tough going out on the road again for RoPS, facing their second straight away game. Especially as the previous game, ended with a defeat 0-1 versus HIFK. The game before that, in the Europa League, was lost at home, a 1-2 defeat against Aberdeen.

So, this is expected to be a close game, an even contest. Looking at earlier matches with RoPS playing away and similar expectations, we found eleven relevant matches. Results were 5 RoPS wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats.

Many goals are not expected from the visiting RoPS as they have only managed to score 6 times from 8 away games. 10 goals have been conceded by RoPS in these games.

Head 2 Head

HIFK - RoPS 1-0 was the story when these teams last met, earlier this season. HIFK-RoPS H2H statistics last ten meetings regardless of arena: HIFK 3 wins, RoPS 2 wins, 5 draws. 1 of these ten matches had three or more goals (over 2,5).

Top Goalscorers

HIFK missing players

RoPS missing players