With international tournaments and most European football leagues finished for the 2016/17 season, the Veikkausliiga is well underway with 15 games already gone. With the campaign taking shape, it is clear to see which teams will be competing for which positions. FC Lahti have picked up 23 points so far and sit 4^th with just four points separating them from 2^nd with a game-in-hand. Their opponents, PS Kemi, have picked up 19 points so far and they are sat in 8^th but are within touching distance of the top four.

STATS

• Lahti have won two of their last five games with two 0-0 draws during that period. These two goalless draws came as part of a four-game streak of 0-0 results but with two wins in their last two, they are back on track. Their 3-1 away win at bottom of the table, JJK showed that they have found their goal-scoring form.
• PS Kemi have experienced the same run of results in their last five games as they have won two games, drawn two games and lost one. A comfortable 3-0 win over IFK Mariehahm has been the highlight of their season so far. However, a disappointing 1-1 draw with 10^th-placed, RoPS meant they missed their chance to move up the table.
• Only three teams have scored less than Lahti in the league this season and this is summed up by their lack of a goal scorer. Stênio is their top scorer with just four goals.
• Filip Valencic has been in great form for Kemi this season and with 8 goals in 15 games, he’s their top goal scorer and only two players have scored more than him in the league.

HEAD TO HEAD

PS Kemi have only beaten Lahti once in the last six meetings between the sides. However, in their last fixture, it ended all square as Lahti let their lead slip after half-time and the game finished 1-1. Both teams have scored in five of the last six meetings.

LAHTI NEWS

FC Lahti need to make sure they are scoring more goals if they want to compete for the title this season but they have also been extremely tight at the back conceding just 10 goals in their 15 games. They need to make sure they outscore a PS Kemi side who haven’t struggled for goals so far this season. Pavel Osipov and Drilon Shala are both waiting to return from long-term injuries but that shouldn’t affect the outcome of the match.

Latest matches: FC Lahti

01.07.2017	Veik	JJK Jyvaskyla	FC Lahti	1:3	W
27.06.2017	Veik	FC Lahti	HIFK	4:1	W
21.06.2017	Veik	PS Kemi Kings	FC Lahti	1:1	D
16.06.2017	Veik	FC Lahti	FC Ilves	0:0	D
03.06.2017	Veik	FC Lahti	Vaasa PS	0:0	D

PS KEMI NEWS

PS Kemi need to start booking their ideas up if they hope to climb up the table in the coming weeks and this can start against Lahti in their next game. A win in this one could see them go 6th in the table and start to put pressure on the teams in the top half. They are without any injuries or suspensions which should give them a huge confidence boost.

Latest matches: PS Kemi Kings

29.06.2017	Veik	PS Kemi Kings	Rovaniemi Palloseura	1:1	D
26.06.2017	Veik	Seinajoen JK	PS Kemi Kings	1:0	L
21.06.2017	Veik	PS Kemi Kings	FC Lahti	1:1	D
17.06.2017	Veik	HIFK	PS Kemi Kings	0:2	W
14.06.2017	Veik	PS Kemi Kings	IFK Mariehamn	3:0	W

SUMMARY

With a stronger team and home advantage, FC Lahti should take all three points but their struggles in front of goal could mean another goalless draw is on the cards. PS Kemi need to pick up a first win in four games which is definitely against the odds. FC Lahti’s seven goals in their last two games have shown a change in fortunes and it could easily continue as PS Kemi visit them.