Against All Odds: SJK won't Finnish on top against OPS

Finnish football fans are a passionate bunch

OPS have seemingly been written off by the Betfair markets ahead of their clash in the Finnish Ykkonen with SJK but Paul Robinson believes their recent head to head record gives them much more than a puncher's chance.

SJK finished as runners up last season and that's exactly where they are after four games of this campaign. They won their opening three matches but fell to a defeat last time out at Oulu, and although they had a man sent off in the 38th minute, they were 2-0 down at the time.

Back on home soil this afternoon, victory for Simo Valakari's side would take them above KooTeePee at the top of the table - a psychological boost even at this early stage of proceedings. They were very strong in Seinjoki last term but it is interesting to note that two of their three losses came against today's opponents - the first one 2-0 and the second 3-2 (they were 3-0 down by half time).

OPS made a slow start to their season with a home draw against Ilves and defeat at Haka. They've kicked into gear since though and back to back victories over Viikingit and PK-35 Vantaa will have the players brimming with confidence again. 

Luiz Antnio's men were pretty solid on their travels last year - avoiding defeat in over 60% of their fixtures - and as mentioned, they beat SJK twice from two attempts in their own backyard. The victory at PK-35 on Monday was testament to their resolution as they trailed going into the final 20 minutes and the three goals they scored increased their run of netting in their last four away from the Raatti Stadium.

SJK are the worthy favourites but they don't warrant odds as low as 1.625/8 and that's why I'm making them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet
Lay SJK v OPS @ 1.625/8 

2013 P/L (1pt each bet)

Wagered: 144 pts
Returned: 133.04 pts
P/L – 10.96 pts (after commission)
(2012 P/L: + 9.60 pts)