HJK Helsinki
In: Jari Nikkila, Mika Hilander, Janne Saarinen (Hacken), Rafinha (Tampere), Peter Magnusson (Djurgarden IF), Kibona Zakaria
Out: Jukka Sauso, Mikko Hauhia (AB), Nosh A Lody (Jaro), Sami Salmi (VPS), Valeri Popovitch, Tuomas Haapala (Tampere), Petri Oravainen (KuPS), Jukka Raitala (Hoffenheim), Paulus Roiha, Ville Taulo
Coach: Antti Muurinen
Tactics: 4-1-4-1
Starting eleven: Wallen - Kansikas, Magnusson, Ojala, Rafinha - Fowler - Bah, Riihilahti, Medo, Sorsa - Makela
Preview: The current champions will have a difficult task to retain the title with TPS much strengthened. The team has brought in a promising right fullback in the face of Nikkila to replace the leaving Hauhia. Rafinha is an excellent versatile player, who could play on all positions on the right. The team has added some experience (Saarinen and Magnusson), same as most of the teams this year. After the departure of Raitala the defense is the biggest question mark and a lot will depend on the youths and Peter Magnusson. Midfield is just the best in Veikkausliiga with Bah, Sorsa on the flanks and Medo and Fowler in the center. The attack is not that glamorous, but with Bah on the left flank there would be sufficient goals for another title challenge.
Verdict: Top 2
Honka
In: Jan Vesterinen
Out: Joel Perovuo (Djurgardens), Jarkko Vartto (Lahti), Jani Backman (Jaro), Altti Makinen
Coach: Mika Lehkosuo
Tactics: 4-4-2
Starting eleven: Peltonen - Koskinen, Hakanpaa, Koskimaa, Haarala - Savage, Wind, Simpanen, Otaru - Vuorinen, Puustinen
Preview: The cornerstone for Honka is how the loss of Perovuo, the engine in the midfield, will be compensated by the youth products. The team has stable keeper and scoring strikers, something which is sufficient for a top 3 finish in Scandinavia (see IFK Goteborg). Given the fact the central defenders are well above the average level of Veikkausliiga, the questionmarks remain at the midfield and the fullbacks. Lehkosuo has been training these boys for 6 seasons now, and if there is a person that could turn them into champions, he fits well the description. A push for the title is a must.
Verdict: Top 3
TPS Turku
In: Jonatan Johansson, Toni Kolehmainen, Jani Virtanen (Udinese), Igor Jovanovic, Christian Andreasen (Randers), Robert Milsom (Fulham), Henrik Moisander,
Out: Iiro Aalto, Kasper Hamalainen (Djurgarden), Mikko Paatelainen (IFK Mariehamn), Wayne Brown (Fulham), Simo Valakari (retires), Jani Aaltonen, Jesse Saarinen, Jussi Kujala, Yll Hoxha, Tuomas Markkula
Coach: Marko Rajamaki
Tactics: 4-2-3-1
Starting eleven: Lehtovaara - Jovanovic, Nyberg, Heinikangas, Rahmonen - Cleaver, Kolehmainen - Aaritalo, Riski, Johansson - Wusu
Preview: There are 3 key players missing from the last season - Hamalainen, Brown and Valakari. Still, TPS look pretty much strengthened this year, as they acquired the experienced striker Johansson and more than a couple of players with experience abroad. The team also changed its coach and it is now Marko Rajamaki, a manager with experience with the junior team of TPS, to bring the team glory. TPS posses the best rated Finnish keeper - Lehtovaara (check his stats at FM), and a solid defense upfront. The midfield zone is the one that seems least promising, despite having Riku Riski, a promising attacking midfielder. The attacking line posses some class acts for the Finish standards - Wusu and Johansson, and a couple of promising youngsters like Aaritalo and Lomski.
Verdict: Title contender (1-2 place)
IFK Marienhamn
In: Petteri Forsell (VPS), Mikko Paatelainen (TPS), Echiabhi Okodugha (ROPS)
Out: Paulus Arajuuri (Kalmar), Alexandos Pappas, Patrik Rikama, Kenneth Gustavsson, Arsim Gashi, Dmytro Pronevych
Coach: Pekka Lyyski
Tactics: 4-4-2
Starting eleven: Langbacka - Rikama, Gueye, Dujilo, Okodugha - Forsell, Olofsson, Niskala, Gruborovics - Anttilainen/Ingves, Paatelainen
Preview: Season 2009 was the most successful for IFK in the Veikkausliiga ever. It was mainly thanks to the excellend defense, which earned lots of points by narrow wins. Since Arajuuri left, there would be a missing person from the puzzle in the heart of the defense, but apart from him therer are no major players that have left. IFK managed to strengthen the upfront with Paatelainen, a scorer that should excell the scoring abilities of the team. In comparison with top 4 the team from Mariehman is not a match, but still should be able to stay far clear from the relegation battle.
Verdict: 6-8th place
Inter Turku
In: Daniel Antunez, Mika Makitalo (Haka),
Out: Touko Tumanto (JJK), Alberto Ramirez, Ville Makila, Felix Akerlund, Ats Purje, Arttu Seppala (VPS), Aristides Pertot, Claudio Verino, Martin Civit
Coach: Job Dragtsma
Tactics: 4-2-3-1
Starting eleven: Maalivahti - Lehtonen, Sanevuori, Nyman, Aho - Paajanen, Makitalo - Nwanganga, Kauko, Ojala - Furuholm
Preview: Inter failed miserably last season in their bid for another Veikkausliiga glory. Now the team has brought in only a couple of new players and tidied the lockers. The team should stick to the squad from last year and could step up a bit in the final standings. But there are too much questionmarks in the lines for Inter to push for the title. All the lines apart from the keeper's are unstable and does not know what to expect from them. A top 4 finiish is achievable, but challenging TPS and HJK will be too much for the other Turku side.
Verdict: 3-4th place
Haka
In: Toni Kuivasto (Djurgardens), Jaakko Juuti, Jukka Santala, Saku Pesonen, Xhevdet Gela, Ben Traore (Azzaweya Olympic Sports Club, Libya), Quincy Osei
Out: Valeri Minkenen, Nicolas Kivisto, Pietari Holopainen (KuPS), Hans Denissen, John Cagua, Mika Makitalo (FC Inter), Petri Viljanen, Diego Corpache (Retired), Jari Nikkila (Tampere), Jussi Jokela, Jarno Mattila, Mika Makitalo (FC Inter)
Coach: Sami Ristila
Tactics: 4-4-2
Starting eleven: Korhonen - Mattila, Kuivasto, Parviainen, Salonen - Innanen, Gela, Hynynen, Strandvall - Nam, Santala
Preview: Haka will rely on Ristila to step up and make his first full season with the team successful. Ristila is a young promising coach, but will lack experience to bring Haka into top 3 places. The team made a good transfer marker and brought quality in all the lines. Kuivasto is a great addition in the heart of the defense and will bring calmness and experience in the squad. His and Korhonen's performances will be crucial for the Haka final position. The central midfield does look solid with good players like Gela and Strandvall, but the team lacks options both on the left and right side. Brightest star in attack is the newcomer Nam Ik Kyung, whose speed will be decisive, especially in matches away from home. As a whole, Haka has made a pretty solid team that could even fight for honours, if gelled fast.
Verdict: 5th place
Tampere
In: Henri Myntti (Hansa), Tuomas Haapala (HJK), Kristian Kojola (Jaro), Jonas Emet (Jaro), William de Mattia,
Out: Rafinha (HJK), Juha Soukiala, Chris James, Henri Scheweleff, Aapo Lappalainen, Jari Niemi
Coach: Ari Hjelm
Tactics: 4-2-3-1
Starting eleven: Kaven - Ruuth, Savolainen, Kojola, Ojanpera - Haapala, De Mattia - Kangaskolkka, Hjelm, Petrecu - Myntti
Preview: The team is going downwards ever since the match against Rosenborg in the 3rd qualification round 2-3 years ago. The team lost many experienced players and there are not youths to step in to replace them. This season they also lost the most versatile player in Veikkausliiga - Rafinha. The team did not made bad deals during the winter break, but the end result is doubtful - there will be 3-4 new players among the regular starters, and they need time to gell. Title challange is out of question for TamU, and safe midtable - the likeliest outcome.
Verdict: 6-8th place
VPS Vaasa
In: Arttu Seppala, Brian Pope, Valtter Laaksonen (Sogndal), Greg Eckhardt, Kwon Jung-Hyuk, Jussi-Pekka Savolainen (KuPS), Jani Tanska (Jaro), Sami Salmi (HJK), Eetu Kaipio, Kim Boling, Alessandro Marzuolin
Out: Henri Sillanpaa (GAIS), Petteri Forsell (IFK Mariehamn), Jan Ahlvik, Jani Lyyski (Djurgardens), Toni Hahto, Lawrence Smith, Henrik Moisander, Benjamin Slotte, Rikhard Lindroos, Arttu Seppala
Coach: Tommi Pikkaraisen
Tactics: 4-2-3-1
Starting eleven: Kwon - Berg, Tanska, Nygard, Saranpaa - Bjork, Koskela - Savolainen, Hietaharju, Inutile - Laaksonen
Preview: VPS were a good surprise last season, but this will not happen again in 2010. The team lost the two most influential players - the keeper Sillanpaa and Lyyski to Allsvenskan sides. Without them, there will be lots of goals flowing into their net. Moreover, the Vaasa team lost class act such as Forsell, which will reflect bad in the midfield. With lots of foreigners coming in, the players will need time to gell and to lear the basics of the language. VPS should be one of the favourites for getting relegated this year.
Verdict: 11-14th place
MyPa
In: Konsta Hietanen (Lahti), Pele Koljonen (KuPS), Antti Okkonen, Ville Saxman
Out: Toni Huttunen (retires), Saku Puhakainen (retires), Miikka Multaharju, Nebi Mustafi, Niko Nakari, Cleiton, Tuomo Kononen
Coach: Janne Lindberg
Tactics: Kuismala - Hietanen, Aho, Timoska, Uimaniemi - Okkonen, Webster, Ady - Aijala, Koljonen, Benevides
Starting eleven: 4-3-3
Preview: The biggest setback for MyPa is the retirement of Huttunen. The team defense will suffer greatly from this, as it is needed a good replacement for him in the heart of the defense. Okkonen, Adailton and Webster would be good midfielders for any Veikkausliiga side, but Ady is 37 years of age, while Webster is constantly injured. It is important how much time these 3 will play together, in order for MyPa to succeed. The team has acquired some promising forwards like Koljonen and Ricketts, but they will need time to get in terms with Veikkausliiga. But in the end it could turn out to be once again up to Votinov for goals.
Verdict: 4-6th place
Jaro
In: Kare Bjorkstrand, Maxim Vasiliev, Nosh A Lody (HJK), Jani Backman (Honka), Tommi Haanpaa, Thomas Kula, Markus Kronholm, Ymer Xhaferi (KF KEK, Kosovo), Zeze Venance (Metalist Kharkov), Aleksei Eremenko jnr (Metalist Kharkov)
Out: Arshad Ahamed, Mikko Hyyrynen (JJK), Jani Tanska (VPS), Kristian Kojola (Tampere), Jonas Emet (Tampere), Jani Koivisto, Jens Portin (Gefle), Markus Koljander, Joonas Laurikainen, Urmas Rooba, Jonas Portin (Ascoli),
Coach: Aleksei Eremenko Sr.
Tactics: 4-2-3-1
Starting eleven: Teles - Sarajarvi, Vasiljev, Aho, Vellamo - Matrone, Xhaferi - Mannstrom, Eremenko Jr, Zeze - Backman
Preview: Jaro will count this not only to Aleksei Eremenko, but to Aleksei Eremenko too. The team will be coached by the father, and the sun will orchester and finish the attacks of the team. Jaro does not have much money to operate and they lost many important players last season - the Portin brothers, Kojola, Emet... The team brought in mostly unknown players, but managed to get a return ticket for Eremenko jnr. The attack of Jaro looks fascinating and you could expect goals from the team, but there will be major issues with the defense throughout the season.
Verdict: 8-10th place
Lahti
In: Jarkko Vartto (Honka), Janne Tormanen, Tennant McVea
Out: Henri Toivomaki (Atalanta), Viktor Szentpeteri (MTK), Jussi Heikkinen, Konsta Hietanen (MyPa), Jukka Veltheim, Mika Hanninen, Kaarlo Rantanen, Kalle Eerola
Coach: Ilkka Makela
Tactics: 4-4-2
Starting eleven: Tuomi - Yassin, Miranda, McVea, Vartto - Heini, Korte, Vanninen, Fofana - Rafael, Sihvola
Preview: Lahti's defense is a big questionmark in the coming season. It was weak in 2009 and after the departure of the young prospect Toivomaki (currently on loan at Atalanta) it looks this year it will be even worse. In contrast, the midfield has som real class acts and prospects for the future - Shalla, Fofana, Vanninen and Korte are all players that could make the difference in a match. Rafael and Sihvola are the players from which the punters should expect the goals for Lahti to come. If they get the goal touch this season, they could well finish near the top 4.
Verdict: 5-6th place
KuPS
In: Olajide Williams, Simo Ronkko, Mikko Vilmunen (Alta), Pietari Holopainen (Haka), Petri Oravainen (HJK), Pele Koljonen (MyPa), Samuli Kaivonurmi, Juho Nykanen, Petteri Ronkko
Out: Pele Koljonen (MyPa), Jussi-Pekka Savolainen (VPS), Ville Iiskola, Tuomas Kuparinen, Segun Ikudehinbu, Betim Aliju, Janne Reinikainen, Jani Hartikainen, Patrik Turunen, Harri Ylonen, Tuomas Rannankari (Twente), Petteri Pennanen (Twente)
Coach: Esa Pekonen
Tactics: 4-4-1-1
Starting eleven: Vilmunen - Taipale, Holopainen, Balogh, Hoivala - Ilo, Ollo, Udah, Oravainen - Venalainen - Nwakaeme
Preview: The team stayed clear from relegation last season, which was remarkable achievement for KuPS. This winter it was brought some class in the troop - Holopainen, Oravainen, Koljonen will all add quality to the relegation battler. The team's tactics are well known - scoring the first goal on counter. KuPS knows they will be involved in the end of the season in relegation battle, so the sooner their players get the defensive tactics right - the better. The bad news - direct rivals such as AC Oulu does not look that week as 2 years ago.
Verdict: 13-14th place
JJK
In: Touko Tumanto (Inter T), Mikko Hyyrynen (Jaro), Juha Pasoja (Ham Kam), Jarkko Okkonen, Dejan Brankovic,
Out: Lee Ho Jin, Antti-Jussi Karnio, Janne Hannula, Dejan Brankovic, Toni Koskela, Shkumbin Arsllani, Nam lk Kyoung, Georgi Hristov
Coach: Kari Martos
Tactics: 4-4-2
Starting eleven: Szerovay - Latikka, Okkonen, Pasoja, Viren - Abahassine, Sund, Tuomanen, Tumanto - Kari, Hyyrynen
Preview: JJK needed the relegation playoff to secure their stay for season 2010. But the team excelled in the winter to win the Liiga cup just before the start of the season. The team looks more solid and is directed on the correct path by Martos. The team added great exerience in defense, and from there it could built up a success this year. There is also lots of supporters of this team, so everything seems to be going well for JJK. A safe mid-table position in the end of the season should not be an immense task for the team.
Verdict: 8-10th place
AC Oulu
In: Juuso Majava (RoPS), Jani Luukkonen, Mika Lahderinne, Joe Beaver (ROPS), Mika Rinne, Joni Makela, Janne Hietanen (KSV Roeselare, Belgium), Mika Hanninen (FC Lahti), Jean Fridolin Ngambe Ngambe (Canon, Cameroon)
Out: John Jonke, Tinho, Bleron Kllokoqi, Juho Keskinen, Simo Myllymaki, Toni Kolehmainen (TPS), Tommi Siekkinen, Henri Hanhela, Niko Heiskanen, Joni Korhonen, Eetu Uusitalo
Coach: Juha Malinen
Tactics: 4-3-3
Starting eleven: Rodrigues - Kukka, Pehkonen, Lahderinne, Hurme - Hietanen, Nurmela, Dominic Yobe - Majava, Jonke, Jean Fridolin
Preview: Dominic Yobe and Frank Jonke are the people that will decide AC Oulu faith. The first is the heart of the team, while the second is the one to score goals. Of course, Infobettor does not have a proper idea how AC Oulu will fit into Veikkausliiga, but if the team manages to get points early in the season and stays clear of injuries because of the trimmed squad, Oulu have good chances for staying up.
Verdict: 10-12th place
