Malmo vs HJK Helsinki Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 18/07/2021, 17:55  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 18/07/2021 at 18:56 in Champions League Predictions

Malmo FF will be looking to build a good lead in the home leg of their Champions League tie against HJK Helsinki. This is a second qualifying round and two more rounds need to be won to get into the group stages. Malmo FF haven't got that far since the 2015/16 season when conceding 21 goals in six games but only failing to finish third on head-to-head results with Shakhtar Donetsk. An 8-0 away loss to Real Madrid was the low-point of their group. This is the first time they've been in the Champions League since 2018 and last season lost in the play-off round of the Europa League. The first qualifying round match saw them beat Riga 2-1 on aggregate with both goals being scored by Antonio Colak. He also scored in their most recent game, a 5-0 win at Defergurs that kept them at the top of the Swedish Allsvenskan. Malmo haven't lost any of their last four home Champions League fixtures and in the Allsvensan are unbeaten in 25 home games.

HJK haven't been in the group stages of the Champions League for 23 years. Seven years have passed since they managed to get into the Europa League group stages. They had an easy first qualifying round tie, beating Buducnost 7-1 on aggregate.  HJK top the Finnish Veikkausliga by five points after playing 12 games. Nine league games had been won in a row before losing 2-1 at Oulu on Saturday. Three away Champions League games had been played without a win before getting that victory in Montenegro. Malmo are tough to beat at home and can get the win here.