PREVIEW: HJK - VPS Arch Bell - Thursday, September 17, 2009
A visit to the capital city is in store for Lawrence Smith and VPS who take on Veikkausliiga co-leader HJK on Sunday evening at Finnair Stadium in Helsinki.
Smith got the starting nod in last week's home defeat versus MyPA so head coach Petri Vuorinen will have a decision to make as to whether he will want to bring the South Carolina native off the bench for an offensive spark in the second half or start Smith from the opening kickoff.
Sunday's match is the start of a brutal three game, seven day stretch for VPS which also includes a home match next Wednesday against defending league champions FC Inter and then a road trip that following Saturday at JJK.
Last week's defeat all but brings to an end VPS' chances of earning a European berth via their performance in the league with just five matches remaining in the season.
Vuorinen's squad still have a shot at claiming a Europa League spot via UEFA's Fair Play which will be determined after the season concludes.
HJK enter the match locked in a duel with TPS for the league title with both clubs standing at 41 points. Head coach Antti Muurinen will most certainly bring an offensive game plan to the table for the hosts who will be eager for the three points.
VPS defenders Jan Ahlvik and Jyrki Saranpää are still out with injuries and will not be available for Vuorinen while Muurinen will be without Sierra Leone midfielder Medo and team captain Tuomas Haapala.
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