HJK vs FC Honka Prediction: The host will hope to move closer to the title

HJK are set to continue their journey towards securing the Veikkausliiga title as they prepare to host Honka at the Bolt Arena on Wednesday. Previews, H2H, expert tips, and odds are provided below.

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The race for the Veikkausliiga title, which was once a closely contested battle, has now transformed into a dominant march towards victory for HJK. The club is on the verge of clinching their 33rd league title, setting them on a path towards a historic achievement. In a recent match against SJK, HJK secured a crucial victory with a 3-2 scoreline in an encounter filled with dramatic moments.

Hassane Bande emerged as the hero for Klubi by scoring the winning goal deep into stoppage time, adding to the excitement of the match. This victory was pivotal in solidifying HJK Helsinki's position at the top of the league standings. Currently, they enjoy a four-point lead over the second-placed team, KuPS, with only three rounds of fixtures remaining in the current season.

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Honka's recent match against rivals VPS turned out to be a significant setback for the team. They suffered an embarrassing 0-3 defeat at home, making it a crucial encounter in the context of their season. With just three rounds remaining in the Veikkausliiga and a four-point deficit behind third-placed VPS, Honka's hopes of qualifying for European competitions through the domestic league have dwindled significantly. It appears that they will need to rely on the Suomen Cup to secure their European ticket for next season.

In terms of injuries, Honka has relatively good news. The team's only absentee is Jerry Voutilainen, who is currently in the process of recovering from a fractured tibia. Unfortunately, he is expected to remain sidelined until late November, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the season. However, there are positive developments as Ville Koski and Kevin Jansen have returned to training after extended periods of injury.

On the flip side, captain Henri Aalto is set to continue sitting on the bench for a second consecutive match. This decision is aimed at conserving his energy for the upcoming Suomen Cup final clash with Ilves, scheduled for Saturday. As Honka navigates the final stages of the season, they will need to regroup and focus on their remaining fixtures and cup competitions to achieve their goals.

In their previous head-to-head clashes dating back to September 2021, HJK have emerged victorious in 3 of these encounters, while FC Honka have secured 1 win. The tally of drawn results stands at 2 matches. Over this period, a total of 12 goals were scored, with 7 of them belonging to HJK and 5 to FC Honka. This results in an average goals-per-game figure of 2.

The most recent league encounter between these two teams took place on matchday 13 of the Veikkausliiga on July 1, 2023, ending in a 1-1 draw between FC Honka and HJK. This history sets the stage for another intriguing battle as they face off once again.

HJK have been in impressive form lately, winning seven of their last eight Veikkausliiga matches. In contrast, FC Honka's recent performance, marked by a heavy loss to VPS, has effectively dashed their hopes of finishing among the top three teams in the top-flight season.

HJK are determined to secure the Veikkausliiga title promptly and focus on their European matches, particularly their participation in the Europa Conference League group stage. Given their current form and aspirations, there is optimism that HJK will showcase their quality against a less inspired FC Honka side, potentially clearing another hurdle on their path to the championship title.

• W1 for 1.65 odds
• Over 2.5 for 2.00 odds
• BTTS for 2.00 odds