HJK Helsinki vs Hammarby on 13 February
On 13th February, HJK Helsinki and Hammarby will clash in a friendly fixture that promises to be an intriguing encounter for fans of both sides. Set to take place at the iconic Telia 5G Arena in Helsinki, the match will offer both teams a valuable opportunity to prepare for the challenges ahead in their respective seasons. While this is a friendly, the stakes are high as both clubs look to fine-tune their tactics and build momentum ahead of the competitive fixtures. The weather in Helsinki is expected to be chilly, with temperatures likely hovering around freezing, potentially impacting the tempo and style of play.
HJK Helsinki: Tactical Approach and Current Form
HJK Helsinki enters this friendly in solid form, having won three of their last five matches. Their tactical setup typically revolves around a compact 4-2-3-1 formation, where the focus is on quick transitions and maintaining high possession percentages. In their previous outings, HJK has demonstrated an impressive average of 58% possession, with a key focus on pressing high and dominating the final third. Their pass accuracy sits at an impressive 84%, with an emphasis on quick, vertical passes to break through the opposition’s defense.
Key players like midfielder Atomu Tanaka will play a crucial role in dictating the pace of the game. His vision and ability to distribute the ball effectively in transition make him the engine of HJK's offense. Winger Luis Pimenta will also be critical, with his dribbling and delivery into the box likely to stretch Hammarby’s defense. However, HJK will be without their starting central defender, Mikko Sumusalo, who is sidelined due to injury. This absence could impact their defensive stability, particularly when dealing with aerial duels and set-piece situations.
Hammarby: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Hammarby’s form has been a mixed bag recently, with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. Their tactical setup is more fluid, often shifting between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 depending on the opposition. Hammarby excels in wide play, with their wingers providing width and crossing the ball into the box, often targeting their tall striker, Muamer Tankovic, who is dangerous in the air. In the last five matches, Hammarby has averaged 55% possession, relying on patient build-up play and quick exchanges in the attacking third to create chances.
Tankovic remains Hammarby’s standout player, and his ability to hold up play and finish chances from crosses will be a key factor. Additionally, the playmaking ability of midfielder Jeppe Andersen, who excels in finding pockets of space between the lines, will be crucial for Hammarby’s creativity in attack. However, Hammarby is without their starting right-back, Eric Kahl, who is suspended for this match. This could open up space for HJK to exploit Hammarby’s right flank, especially given the pace of Pimenta on the wing.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
Looking at the last five meetings between these two sides, HJK has had the upper hand, winning three of those encounters, with two ending in draws. The most recent meeting was a 2-1 win for HJK, where they dominated possession and played a high-pressing game. Hammarby, however, has been competitive in every match and has shown resilience in coming back from behind in several occasions. Historically, HJK has been slightly more successful in direct encounters, but Hammarby’s attacking potency always makes them dangerous. This friendly could see a more experimental lineup from both sides, but expect them to still approach the match with competitive intent.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most crucial battles will be between HJK’s central defense and Hammarby’s striker Muamer Tankovic. Tankovic’s aerial threat and physical presence in the box will test HJK’s defensive line, especially without Sumusalo in the mix. If HJK can neutralize Tankovic’s threat, they will have a strong chance of controlling the game.
Another key duel will be on the right flank, where Pimenta’s pace and dribbling could cause issues for Hammarby’s left-back. With Kahl suspended, Hammarby’s defense might struggle to cope with Pimenta’s skill and speed, potentially allowing HJK to exploit that space with overlapping runs and crosses into the box. Controlling the wide areas will be a deciding factor in this match.
Match Scenario and Prediction
HJK will likely take the initiative early, looking to dominate possession and press high. Their midfield, led by Tanaka, will look to dictate the tempo and launch quick counter-attacks when Hammarby loses possession. Hammarby, on the other hand, will look to exploit the spaces behind HJK’s defense, especially on the wings, where they have players capable of delivering dangerous crosses into the box. The absence of key players on both sides could affect the flow of the match, but both teams will be keen to finish the friendly with a morale-boosting result.
Given the current form and tactical setups of both teams, a 2-1 victory for HJK seems the most likely outcome. Hammarby’s inability to fully cope with Pimenta on the right flank and the absence of key defensive players could tip the scales in favor of HJK, who should edge out the win in this competitive encounter.
Final Thoughts
In this friendly fixture, HJK Helsinki will likely have the upper hand due to their superior tactical discipline and home advantage. The absence of key defensive figures for both sides could make for an open match, but HJK’s greater balance between attack and defense will probably see them through. The key question this match will answer is whether Hammarby can impose their wide play and aerial threat despite missing key defensive players, or if HJK will assert dominance with their pressing game and midfield control.
