Our in-house football pundit takes a look at the Finland Veikkausliiga top goalscorer.
With the upcoming soccer world cup stealing all the headlines, it’s a good idea to offer punters a few leagues worth a dabble. The 2018 showpiece will definitely grab all the attention but USA, Brazil, Norway and Finland are just some of the leagues worth having a go on.
Looking at the Finnish league, Joao Klauss, is the current top goalscorer in the with 11 goals just 13 matches into the new campaign. The 21-year-old is on loan from top tier German side Hoffenheim, looking to make a name for himself and from the looks of things, he is doing just that.
The Brazilian centre-forward was born in Criciuma, Santa Catarina and began his career with Internacional, joining the club at just nine-years-old. Klauss moved with his mother to Porto Alegre after his parents separated but he remained. At the age of 13, he was released from Internacional’s youth program and moved to Juventude in Caxias do Sul. After a year he moved back to Porto Alegre and joined the Gremio’s youth academy.
Klauss signed for his first European club in January 2017 when he moved to Hoffenheim in Germany following his impressive displays at youth level. He initially struggled with the cultural change but played 17 matches and scored 4 goals for Hoffenheim II in the Regionalliga Sudwest before being loaned to HJK in March 2018.
On 8 April, he scored in his debut in the Veikkausliiga against Ilves and from there on, his performances have improved as the young Brazilian continues to find the back of the net on a regular basis with his team at the summit of the standings.
HJK will be in action tonight at the Telia 5G -areena against Mariehamn, who have lost three of their last four matches. The hosts on the other hand, have won six games on the spin and are unbeaten on the road. The log-leaders are priced up at 2/9 at the time of writing but if you are looking for more value, get on the (-1) Handicap at 13/20! Check out all six of Tuesday nights fixtures, along with the betting below.
FINLAND VEIKKAUSLIIGA
Tuesday 12 June
Lahti 23/20 | Draw 43/20 | FC Honka 24/10
Rovaniemi 23/20 | Draw 2/1 | Vaasa PS 49/20
HJK Helsinki 2/9 | Draw 47/10 | IFK Mariehamn 10/1
Seinajoen JK 1/1 | Draw 43/20 | TPS 11/4
Inter Turku 9/20 | Draw 7/2 | PS Kemi Kings 11/2
Koupio 15/20 | Draw 49/20 | FC Ilves 36/10
