Sibongiseni’s picks

HJK Helsinki are looking to defend their Finnish Veikkausliga title and look good for it.

Manager Mika Lehkosuo’s side have opened a seven-point lead and should they win today, as is expected, against IFK Marieham, they will widen the gap to 10.

Helsinki have won the Finnish league an amazing 30 times; Lehkosuo has been with the team for two and is currently gunning for a third.

He has already won an impressive nine titles – two leagues, three Suosem Cups, one Ykkonen and three League Cups – with the club since 2014.

Marieham pose no real danger to Helsinki’s ambitions judging by their recent performances. In their last five matches they have won just one, lost two and drawn two.

They come into this fixture wounded after a 6-3 hammering handed to them at the hands of Pamperin Ilves last week.

Bottom line, an easy three points for Helsinki. Pool name: S6 V1 P1 M1: HJK Helsinki v IFK Marieham. Previewed above. Tip: Helsinki win = 1 M2: Pamperin Ilves v Honka. Tight contest and I see no winner here. Tip: Draw = 2 M3: Inter Turku v VPS Vaasa. Turku are desperate for points but that looks unlikely here. Tip: Draw = 2 M4: KuPS v Lahti. Not easy but KuPS can win it. Tip: KuPS win = 1 M5: Palmeiras v Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro to cruise through. Tip: Cruzeiro win = 3 M6: Sport Boys v Alianza Lima. Easy win for Lima.

Tip: Lima win = 3