- Recent stats: The main recent goalscorers for SJK are Kelwin do Nascimento (3 in last 5) and Kasper Paananen (4 in 16). The main current goalscorer for HJK is Mads Borchers (7 in 15). HJK are the slight favorites at 2.15 but a draw seems as likely at 3.65.
SJK and HJK to serve up a tight game at OmaSP Stadion
Jarkko Wiss has made a big improvement on what he inherited from his predecessor in Seinajoen Jalkapallokerho, but their form has dipped a little recently, with just one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five games. The hosts have lost three consecutive and were beaten 2-0 at home by KuPS before a 2-1 loss to bottom club FF Jaro last time out.
HJK Helsinki will be happy to have them on a losing streak as they come into this matchup as the slight favourites at 2.15, with the hosts at 3.0 and the draw at 3.65. The visitors have won four and lost one of their last five, after beating VPS 2-1, Coleraine 5-0 and FC TPS 1-0 in a three-game winning streak.
It has been all square in the head-to-head over the past three months, with one win each and one draw across the last three meetings in Veikkausliiga 2026. HJK won the home meeting between these sides 3-0 in April but failed to win either of their previous two away games at SJK, so they still have something to prove at this venue.
Wiss has introduced structure and balance to SJK
Favourites and context
HJK are the more likely winners of this match as the favourites because they are on a good run and have the better league position. But the fact that this is not a complete sure thing is because of Wiss' work at the club and the fact that HJK have failed to beat SJK in their two most recent trips to this venue.
SJK: structure and scorers
Wiss has brought a balance to the game that SJK didn't really have before he arrived.
- They look better organised and more compact than before and use a lot of short passing combinations to change the pace and attack on the break.
- Kasper Paananen has been their main scorer this season with four in 16, but it has been Kelwin do Nascimento who has been their hot hand of late, scoring three of the club's six goals in the last five.
HJK's style and threats
Joonas Rantanen's men are set up to be the opposite in terms of style as they dominate possession, press from the front, overload the wings and dictate the tempo of the game.
- Mads Borchers is their main man in the box with seven in 15 this season and he looks pretty sharp there right now, while Teemu Pukki has also been scoring a few of late – three of their ten goals in the last five.
HJK still have defensive fragility on the road
HJK are third in the table on 28 points after 17 games while SJK are 11th on 14 points after the same number of games. SJK have a home record of 2-2-4 in Veikkausliiga 2026 while HJK are 3-2-3 on the road so the visitors do travel well but are not invincible on their travels.
SJK have scored ten goals in eight home games in Veikkausliiga 2026, which is a modest total for a side that prefers a compact, selective style, and this game will be decided by which side gets the better of the other in a chess match scenario. Over 2.5 goals at 1.46 and BTTS – Yes at 1.44 look the way to go in this derby, as it will be a tight and open game for possession and the ball.
