The only Liiga game of the round is played in Pori
Thursday’s Liiga schedule features just one game, as Ässät hosts KalPa in Pori. Both teams sit in the middle of the standings, but KalPa has played more games and holds a ten-point advantage. While the hosts are fairly secure in eighth place, KalPa still has a realistic chance of finishing in the top four. The visitors, however, face challenges due to a busy schedule and several absences.
KalPa heads into the matchup after an impressive performance on Wednesday, March 4, when the team defeated Sport 6–1 on the road in Vaasa.
For Ässät, Thursday’s game will be their first in March. Their previous match took place on February 28, ending in a 1–4 home loss against HIFK.
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Ässät holding steady in the standings
Ässät’s position in the standings is relatively clear. Catching Ilves ahead of them appears unlikely, but at the same time Kiekko-Espoo, who has played two more games, is six points behind.
Ässät played only one game last week, suffering a 1–4 home defeat to HIFK. Before that, however, they secured important wins against lower-ranked teams Jukurit and Sport, collecting six valuable points.
Overall, Ässät’s form has not been particularly strong. Their most recent win against a top-six team came at the end of January — notably against KalPa in Kuopio.
KalPa’s road trip started with a convincing win
KalPa’s three-game road week began in Vaasa on Wednesday, where the league’s bottom team Sport was defeated comfortably 6–1. The easier opponent came at a good time for the Kuopio side, as league leaders Tappara had scored ten goals against KalPa in their previous matchup.
KalPa has recently struggled with a large number of absences, but the team did receive some positive news on Wednesday as Jaakko Rissanen returned to the lineup. However, the roster situation remains uncertain, with two of the team’s top scorers, Teemu Hartikainen and Patrick Curry, still sidelined.
In goal, Stefanos Lekkas has been unavailable, and with Patrik Kerkola starting in Vaasa, the responsibility in Thursday’s game is likely to fall to Talyn Boyko.
Fatigue and absences could balance the matchup
Despite KalPa’s stronger position in the standings, their current road trip and injury concerns could level the playing field. Ässät have not been particularly impressive lately, but KalPa did not face a major challenge in Vaasa either.
The final outlook for Thursday’s game may depend heavily on KalPa’s lineup situation and how the team handles the back-to-back schedule.
Attractive odds for KalPa
Regardless of the final lineup decisions, KalPa’s offered away odds of 3.08 appear highly attractive and may represent value for bettors.
Winz offers new players a €50 risk-free bet, meaning a successful €50 wager on KalPa at odds of 3.08 could return up to €154. If the bet loses, the stake is returned to your betting account.
- Go to Winz
- Create an account and claim the 100% deposit bonus, which functions as a €50 risk-free bet
- Deposit €50 and place a €50 bet on 1×2 – KalPa at odds of 3.08
- If the bet loses, the stake will be refunded to your account
Remember to read the promotion terms. The offer is available only to new customers with their first deposit.
Disclaimer
This article is written for entertainment purposes only and does not guarantee betting success. Betting involves financial risk. 18+ Gamble responsibly.
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