Competition: Ykkonen
Market: Mikkeli win
Odds: 3/5 @ BetUS
Looking to find a route to the top of the Ykkonen table on Friday afternoon, Mikkeli will welcome a struggling JaPS to the Mikkelin Urheilupuisto.
Starting with the hosts, putting in another rampant display last weekend as they secured an eye-catching 2-1 win at home against HIFK, Mikkeli have only continued to gain a string of plaudits since opening up the 2023 campaign. Knowing that even a single point on Friday afternoon would be enough to see them temporarily leapfrog Gnistan to top spot, the mood in Juha Pasoja’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Now winning each of their last three domestic showdowns on the bounce, the Blues are also in the midst of a nine-match unbeaten run across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to May 17th. Along with signing off June with a stunning 6-2 romp against KaPa, the former JJK boss has seen his high-flying squad gain a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third. In fact, Mikkeli have notched a remarkable 12 Ykkonen strikes on their three-match winning run.
As for the visitors, while JaPS might still find themselves leading the chase to claim a top-six finish this season, Jyrki Ahola’s men are enduring what has been an extended wobble. Although the Jarvenpaa-based outfit might have been last seen snatching a last-gasp 2-2 draw away at Ekenas, they have failed to win any of their last seven straight domestic appearances across all formats – a run that stems back to May 27th. With their recent struggles highlighted by a routine 3-1 drumming at the hands of KaPa prior to June’s international break, Friday’s guests should face a real challenge when they travel to the Mikkelin Urheilupuisto this weekend. Without a Ykkonen victory on their travels over the past two months, Ahola should also have a headache over his side’s recent issues against the title contenders. Losing three of their previous four showdowns against Mikkeli, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Bet: Mikkeli 3/5 to beat JaPS in Friday’s Ykkonen battle @ BetUS
