- HJK form: HJK have won 3 of their last 5 matches, losing two across all competitions.
- TPS form: FC TPS Turku have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 games across all competitions.
HJK Helsinki and FC TPS are having similar seasons
Standings and fixture
HJK Helsinki (5th, 25 points from 16 matches) and FC TPS Turku (7th, 22 points from 15) are separated by only 3 points in the top half of the Veikkausliiga 2026 ahead of their Sunday evening clash at the Bolt Arena in Finland.
Managers
Joonas Rantanen has been in charge of HJK since 1 January 2026 and has them playing a well-organised system with plenty of tempo control and verticality, while Ivan Pinol has been in command of TPS since 20 January 2025 and has a direct, counter-attacking and ruthless side on his hands.
Form and away problems
FC TPS have scored only 5 goals in 7 away matches in Veikkausliiga 2026, indicating that they are a blunt force away from the Veritas Stadion.
HJK and TPS are evenly matched
HJK bounce back quickly from defeat and after losing 2-0 away at FC Lahti in Veikkausliiga 2026, they beat VPS 2-1 at home yesterday, winning 3 of their last 5 and losing two.
FC TPS have been in mixed form, winning 2, drawing 1 and losing 2 of their last 5, but they have been in fine goalscoring form of late. TPS have beaten FF Jaro 3-2 at home, lost 3-1 to SJK away and then dismantled AC Oulu 3-0 at home, in their last 3 fixtures.
A clash of styles at Bolt Arena
Head-to-head
The head-to-head record is level at one win apiece in the last two Veikkausliiga 2026 meetings between these two clubs and the most recent meeting was won by TPS at home 1-0 just two months ago. TPS are a good side at the moment and could easily snatch the victory here, but HJK look more likely on home turf.
Odds and psychology
The bookies make HJK the odds-on favorites at 1.52, ahead of the draw at 4.4 and TPS at 5.4, but the visitors have a small psychological block to overcome as they are still searching for their first away win against HJK in the Veikkausliiga 2026.
Players to watch
- Mads Borchers is the focal point for the home side's attacking play; the Dane has netted 7 goals in 15 Veikkausliiga matches.
- Albijon Muzaci is TPS's top scorer with 7 goals in 15 Veikkausliiga 2026 matches and his hot-streak has seen him net 4 of TPS's 7 goals in their last 5.
- He looks the best candidate to break this game wide open.
Tactics
Joonas Rantanen's men like to press high, stretch the play by pushing their full-backs forward and have the capability to cause absolute chaos when they transition from defence to attack. Ivan Pinol's side will sit in a low-to-mid block and have the ability to spring forward quickly on the counter-attack. This should be a chess match with HJK in control and TPS waiting to pounce, but the game will likely be won in the central channels.
Prediction
HJK to win looks the smartest play in this game but FC TPS have a bite about them in the head-to-head and could keep this fixture close and scrappy. Over 2.5 goals at 1.47 and Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.61 also appeals in the goal markets.
