July 23rd features a match where Ilves hosts HJK at Tammelan Stadion in a clash of the Veikkausliiga. Weather on match day is looking like a cloudy and cool day, with daytime temperatures of only 19 degrees, which will be a great treat for players. In their last match, 6th placed Ilves, recorded a 3-3 draw against SJK. Almen scored the first goal for SJK on an own goal in the 21st minute, then Ariel Ngueukam got the equalizer for Ilves in the 34th minute on a feed from Petteri Pennanen . Ilves is looking for direction having 4 win and 3 losses in their last 10 matches, while hJK sits at 2nd place in the tables. In their last match they recorded a 3-1 win against VPS. Yli-Kokko struck first for HJK in the 19th minute, then Multanen tied it up for VPS in the 39th minute on a feed from Samu Alanko. With 18 points in their last 10 matches HJK should be reasonably happy with their performance.
HJK and Ilves last played eachother at the Bolt Arena on the 8th of May. HJK was victorious by a score of 2 to 1 in front of just over two thousand spectators. Axel Vidjeskog struck first for Ilves in the 18th minute on a feed from Ariel Ngueukam, then in the 76th minute, Anthony Olusanya sent in a beautiful pass which was converted by Jair But luckily in the 82nd minute, they were able to complete the comback with a goal by Jair.
Santeri Hostikka and Bojan Radulovic Samoukovic are the top scorers for HJK in the last five matches, but unfortunately they only have one goal.. Petteri Pennanen has been the most prolific scorer on Ilves in his last 5 matches with three goals.