Promotion series preview

Could Oulu be a new face for Superpesis 2020 after a short stint in Ykköspesis?
Photograph from Oulu Facebook (c) Oulun Lippo Pesis 2019
Promotion series preview


Siilinjärven Pesis (S) v Oulun Lippo Pesis (Y)
Head to head: Oulu have won all of the previous games between these two teams, all of which were in Ykköspesis in 2014 and 2015. This statistic is probably of little importance to the teams as they currently stand, although it may weigh heavy on Siilinjärven players minds that  Oulu are not easily beaten.
Form: Siilinjärvi ended the regular season on a poor run in their final 5 games, which saw them slip back into 13th in the table, losing all 5 and only taking 1 point out of a possible 15. Siilinjärvi beat Alajärvi 3-1 in the elimination series to give them a fighting chance to stay in superpesis next season. Oulu are in top form at the moment, having swept Ulvila to reach the Promotion series, off the back of 4 wins out of their final 5 games in the regular season. 
Prediction: Oulu to win, 3 games to 1.
Summary: Despite Siilinjärvi winning the elimination series, they have looked out of form and struggled to perform in the face of stronger teams. Oulu have had a strong season and came 2nd in the league, behind runaway leaders Tampere. It is hard to imagine SiiPe pulling this one out of the bag, as Oulu look too strong to be brushed aside. 



Kempeleen Kiri (S) v Puijon Pesis, Kuopio (Y)
Head to head: Kempele have won the last 3 games between the 2 teams, 2 of which were in 2018 and the one prior to that being in 2015. The 2 teams have a history, but have only ever met in Ykköspesis between 2010 and the present. 
Form: Kempele’s end to the regular season was poor, as they slowly sunk in the table out of contention for a playoff spot and eventually being stuck in a relegation battle. Kuopio pulled off a tight sweep of Hamina to reach the promotion series, winning 2-1 twice and 0-1 once. In the regular season Kuopio finished with a poor set of results in the last 5, winning 2 out of 5, taking only 5 out of 15 possible points. Kempele have not played since the end of the regular season on 13th August, whereas Kuopio have just won the playoff series on 24th August. Will the rest have steadied the ship at Kempele or will they be rusty? Will Kuopio be on form on the back of their series win? Or will they be fatigued following a long and tough season in Ykköspesis.
Prediction: Kempele to win, 3 games to 0.

Summary: Kempele have shown in the regular season that they can compete and have shown that they have resilience; however the wheels came off at the end of the season and Kempel will want to put things straight and prove that they can and should remain in Superpesis. Kuopio have had a good run in the Ykköspesis playoffs, but they are not 

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