Haka vs KuPS

Haka welcome KuPS for this Finnish Veikkausliiga match at Tehtaan Kenttä in Valkeakoski Sunday evening. This is the highest level of my home country’s football. The level is, however, quite low by European standards. Today a very balanced and good-level by Finnish standards match is on the cards between these two teams – both are in terrific form. Indeed, neither team have lost any of their nine most recent matches during the 90 minutes of play! It was a 2-2 draw after regulation time in Valkeakoski about a month ago and KuPS qualified in Finnish Cup through penalties. KuPS were, as expected, slightly better in this match overall recording 52% ball possession and one more scoring attempt than Haka. However, after that the hosts have improved even further. KuPS, currently top the standings with 36 points to their account and a very good goal difference of 29:10. HJK from Helsinki have the same number of points.

We must remember that in terms of expected points KuPS have been very lucky this season grabbing some four more points than they would have deserved! They have also been both effective and lucky making the most of their scoring chances. The number of expected goals for them is only around 24. They are once again over-valued by the betting market! Even so, they are the second-best team in Veikkausliiga after HJK but not considerably better than Honka in 3rd place with 33 points. Overall, Veikkausliiga is more balanced this year than I – or many football analysts - would have estimated before the season started. Haka, are in the 6th place in my power rating that illustrates the teams’ pure class. However, their level is pretty close to higher ranked Inter (4th) and SJK (5th). We must remember though that Haka have a higher than average home advantage and the last time they lost in Valkeakoski in Veikkausliiga was on the 7th of May. They have won 4/7 home games in Veikkausliiga this season. Haka is a big thing in the very small city of Valkeakoski and a big number of enthusiastic fans is expected at the stadium today. Haka is a club with great traditions and have won the championship many times in the past.

KuPS are the favorites here, sure, but definitely more narrow than the bookies think. The hosts have a 63% chance of avoid defeat here – bringing us yet another winner. Both teams have a very good situation in terms of squad available. The hosts’ Atte Sihvonen has not fully recovered from the lower body injury. Vigori Gbe is a long-term injured player. KuPS have had a very tiring week traveling to Moldova to play in the Conference League qualies against Milsami. They had to fly in groups (!) – using commercial flights (as charters were not available) to nearby countries and then eventually take a bus to the Orhei. After returning to Finland they stayed in Helsinki and travel from here to Valkeakoski. Traveling is a part of professional football but KuPS preparation to this is far from optimal. The match in Orhei was on Thursday so the recovery time is short too. Let’s hope Haka’s super-dangerous Lee Erwin finds the net again and the hosts win!

哈卡欢迎 KuPS 参加周日晚上在 Valkeakoski 的 Tehtaan Kenttä 举行的芬兰 Veikkausliiga 比赛。这是我祖国足球的最高水平。然而，按照欧洲标准，这一水平相当低。今天，按照芬兰的标准，一场非常平衡且水平很高的比赛即将在这两支球队之间展开——双方的状态都非常好。事实上，在 90 分钟的比赛中，两支球队都没有输掉最近的九场比赛！大约一个月前在 Valkeakoski 的常规时间过后，双方 2-2 战平，KuPS 通过点球晋级芬兰杯。正如预期的那样，KuPS 在这场比赛中的表现略好一些，他的控球率为 52%，并且比 Haka 多一次得分尝试。然而，在那之后，主机已经进一步改善。库普斯，目前以 36 分和 29:10 的净胜球高居榜首。来自赫尔辛基的 HJK 得分相同。

我们必须记住，就预期点而言，KuPS 非常幸运的是，本赛季比他们应得的多获得了四分！他们也很有效和幸运地充分利用了他们的得分机会。他们的预期进球数只有24个左右。他们再次被投注市场高估！即便如此，他们仍然是仅次于 HJK 的 Veikkausliiga 排名第二的球队，但并不比排名第三的 Honka 高出 33 分。总体而言，Veikkausliiga 今年比我——或许多足球分析师——在赛季开始前估计的更加平衡。哈卡，在我的实力等级中排名第六，这说明了团队的纯洁等级。然而，他们的水平非常接近排名较高的国际米兰（第 4）和 SJK（第 5）。我们必须记住，尽管 Haka 拥有高于平均水平的主场优势，他们上一次在 Veikkausliiga 的 Valkeakoski 输球是在 5 月 7 日。他们本赛季在 Veikkausliiga 赢得了 4/7 的主场比赛。哈卡是非常小的城市 Valkeakoski 的一件大事预计今天将有大批热情的球迷来到体育场。哈卡是一家有着悠久传统的俱乐部，过去曾多次夺得冠军。

库普斯是本场的热门，当然，但绝对比博彩公司想象的要窄。东道主有 63% 的机会在这里避免失败——为我们带来又一个赢家。就可用的阵容而言，两支球队的情况都非常好。东道主阿特·西沃宁的下半身伤势尚未完全恢复。 Vigori Gbe是一名长期受伤的球员。 KuPS 已经度过了非常累人的一周，前往摩尔多瓦参加与 Milsami 的联盟资格赛。他们不得不成组飞行（！）——使用商业航班（因为没有包机）到附近的国家，然后最终乘公共汽车去 Orhei。回到芬兰后，他们留在赫尔辛基，从这里前往瓦尔基亚科斯基。旅行是职业足球的一部分，但 KuPS 对此的准备远非最佳。 Orhei的比赛是在星期四所以恢复时间也很短。让我们希望哈卡超级危险的李欧文再次入网，主队获胜！