Ilves–Pelicans

We are going to the city of Tampere in Finland. Where the home team, who plays in the Nokia Arena, welcomes their guests, the Pelicans from the city of Lahti.

The season in Finland's top league, with the catchy name Liiga, is coming to an end. Ilves has settled into a good position before the end, leading the table with 4 points. Ilves has 2 games left to play, while the team in second place has 3 games left.

The Pelicans, on the other hand, are at the opposite end of the table, down in 15th place, and in danger of relegation. They are 3 points away from safety, with 3 games left to play. It smells like a home win, right?

Ilves – Must find form before the playoffs.

Ilves, who lead the table, have simply been in poor form recently. The team, which is one of the two big ones in a historical context in Finland, finally has the opportunity to win something again. Their last title was back in 1985. They have slowly but surely built themselves up again in recent years, and have 3rd, 2nd and 2nd place in the last three seasons. Which indicates a stable team that is aiming for the top. If they are to be able to crown this season with a league title, matches like this one just have to be won. But as I said, the form has been lacking, and the team needs to go up a few notches before we get to the playoffs.

We believe that the team will use this match to improve themselves and get a good experience. They can secure the title already at home this round with the right results. The team scores okay goals, but concedes the least of all. The team is also the home team in the league that has taken the most points on their own ice. That gives them confidence going into this one. They may lack the very best point-getters, but are very stable in all ranks. That is probably also the great strength this team has. They are well balanced, and all ranks can create something.

We think that should be enough in this match.

Pelicans – A team in disintegration?

After the previous two seasons that ended in 4th and 3rd place, one might well ask what has happened to this Pelicans team?

They have been a team you don't recognize, you can safely say. They are now in danger of having to go down a division. There are still games left to save their place. But then they have to win some games, and we think this one might be tough against a team at the top of the table, who also have to win.

The team scores a little less than they concede, and that is never a good sign. But it should also be said that this team has lost many regular matches, and in that sense has not been lucky. But how many times have we seen this. When a team that is really too good to be relegated ends up in this position, the pressure increases. The games do not become easier to win.

The team has only won 1 of the last 5 games, and that doesn't bode well for a team that desperately needs points. There is also a lack of depth in the team, and that could be decisive against a team that has several good ranks. We think they will have a tough time in this one.

Conclusion – League gold against relegation.

This match is actually about that. Both teams really have something to play for. That means we have to take that into account in our assessment.

After a long season, Ilves has proven to be a better team than the Pelicans. Not just this season, but several seasons in a row now. So we trust that the team that is best in the table is also the best in this one. In addition, Ilves is the best home team of all in this division. Something that supports such a game.

Internally, Pelicans actually won the last match 2-1 at home after penalties. While the 3 games before that Ilves won. So the advantage also goes to the home team here. At the odds we get here, we will have to try the following bet.

Hockey at 17:30: Ilves - Pelicans: Ilves wins (1.87)