HJK Helsinki — Ilves Tampere : Match Preview and Prediction for September 29,2025

HJK’s Challenging Schedule

HJK Helsinki approaches this match after an extremely demanding schedule. First, they secured a victory in the Finnish Cup final on September 20th, and just two days later, they had to play an away game against Inter Turku. Head coach Miika Nuutinen and key player Alexander Ring openly expressed concerns about the congested calendar and the insufficient recovery time.

Recent Performance Issues

Such a heavy workload has undeniably taken its toll. In the championship round, HJK began with two draws, accumulating only two points. This included a high-scoring 3:3 draw against SJK, followed by a goalless match against Inter Turku. In the game against Inter, the Helsinki-based club appeared lackluster in attack, managing only one shot on target and an expected goals (xG) metric of just 0.31.

Defensive Weaknesses and Key Absences

The defense also raises concerns, particularly in home matches. HJK has conceded 11 goals in their last 5 home games, a significant issue given they are about to face the league’s most prolific attacking team. Furthermore, goalkeeper Jesse Öst will be unavailable for the upcoming match, adding further uncertainty to their defensive line.

Ilves’ Current Momentum

Ilves Tampere is currently in excellent form, and that’s not an understatement. The team leads the league standings, having started the championship round with two consecutive victories. First, they convincingly defeated KuPS away with a 4:2 scoreline, and then secured a hard-fought 3:2 win over Gnistan in a challenging match.

Potent Attack and Key Players

The Tampere-based team’s attack is on fire. Veteran Roope Riski has been scoring in five consecutive games, netting six goals during this impressive run. He is ably supported by Oiva Jukola, who boasts a record of 4 goals and 2 assists in his last six appearances. Ilves scores frequently and diversely, evidenced by their second-place ranking in the league for away goals, with 28 goals in 12 matches.

Full Squad Strength

Ilves’ squad is almost entirely fit. The coaching staff has a wide array of players to choose from, as Vasilije Bakic and Andre Raymond, who missed the last game due to minor injuries, are now ready to return to the field. The team possesses significant squad depth, allowing them to maintain a high tempo throughout the entire match.