HJK vs Malmo

Bolt Arena is the venue as HJK Helsinki look to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Malmo and reach the third Champions League qualifying round.

Since being held to a scoreless draw to domestic rivals KuPs in the Finish Cup back in early May, none of HJK’s subsequent 14 matches in all competitions have ended level (W12, L2). Helsinki made light work of their Champions League qualifying tie against Buducnost Podgorica last time out, winning both legs by a margin of 2+ goals. The hosts have been a force to be reckoned with at home lately, winning each of their previous six competitive home fixtures by an aggregate score of 14-3, with five of those triumphs yielding a full-time margin of 2+ goals. Delivering action from the get-go, Toni Koskela’s men have netted five goals within 30 minutes of play across their last two competitive home matches.

Meanwhile, since going down 3-2 to domestic rivals Norrkoping in their opening game of the 2021/22 season, the visitors have racked up a six-game undefeated streak in all competitions (W5, D1). The beginning of Malmo’s Champions League path saw them overcome Riga, winning both legs by an aggregate score of 6-0 (1-0 H, 5-0 A). Malmo’s recent away form could encourage the Swedish camp, with the ‘Himmelsblått’ suffering just one defeat across their last six competitive road trips (W3, D2). Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men can take more confidence from keeping a clean sheet in back-to-back competitive away games after conceding at least once in ten consecutive travels in all competitions. Particularly dangerous beyond half-time, Malmo have registered five of their last seven away goals scored in the second half of play.