Twists, turns and more in Europe's most competitive title race

It's that time of the season where the end is in sight, no not in most European leagues that have only just started up but for the summer leagues. In Europe there are eleven leagues that play during the summer (Belarus, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden) and it's in these leagues that the finish line is in sight. For one league in particular it's been an extraordinary season at the top of the table.

That league is Finland's Veikkausliiga, which is Europe's most compelling title race this season. On Saturday 2nd placed IFK Mariehamn had the opportunity to claim top spot with a victory over SJK away from home. However it was last season's champions that claimed a 1-0 win to close within seven points off top spot themselves, SJK currently lie 7th in the table. Yes you read that right, SJK in 7th are seven points off top spot. It's been a fascinating season and one that really wasn't foreseen.

Last season saw HJK Helsinki, the country's most successful club, knocked off their perch by SJK from Seinäjoki, who claimed their first ever league title. However it probably was a little teaser of what was to come as the final day of the 2015 season saw three sides (SJK, RoPS Rovaniemi and HJK) tussle for the title. SJK went into that final day top and both RoPS and HJK needed them to drop points to have a chance of landing the title. In the end all three won their games which was enough for SJK. 

Previous to that 2015 success for SJK, the league was dominated by HJK who between 2009 and 2014 won every title on offer. So this latest bout of competitiveness has been very much unforeseen. What makes it even more astounding is HJK were Europa League group stage participants in 2014-15 so with all the money earned from that this really does add to the mystery of this insane season. 

HJK have been very inconsistent in 2016 which has opened the door to some sides that haven't tasted league glory in quite some time. In order of how the table reads aside from HJK these are when the contenders last tasted glory; IFK Mariehamn (never), RoPS (never), Ilves (1983), KuPS (1976), VPS (1948) and SJK (2015). So this season really is a fantastic opportunity for some of these clubs to seize the moment and end their title droughts. 

HJK only reclaimed top spot last week with a 2-0 win away at mid-table PS Kemi. Since that victory they have lost twice on the bounce. A 4-1 hammering by Lahti at home was followed by a 3-2 loss away at struggling Inter Turku which offered IFK Mariehamn that chance to reclaim top spot this weekend, which was spurned. The form teams are actually those catching up behind HJK and Mariehamn. Ilves are unbeaten in five, VPS likewise with draws being their problem in recent weeks. SJK have recovered from an absolute disaster of a start in which they were winless after the first month of the season and have since clawed themselves up into contention, just. 

HJK have also played a game more than all of the other six contenders. All the others play their games in hand before September is out which will have the capital side sitting nervously seeing what will unfold. They could however relinquish top spot again before those sides even play their games in hand as they host RoPS in a delicious looking clash on Wednesday when the next round of games will be played. At the same time IFK Mariehamn will host Inter Turku with the other four contenders face each other with VPS hosting SJK and KuPS facing Ilves. 
The league concludes on October 23rd by which time seven contenders will be whittled down somewhat but in the six rounds of games before that expect twists, turns and more in Europe's most competitive title race.