Prediction: Molde FK vs HJK Helsinki

Prediction: Molde FK to win 2-0

Best Odds: 7/2

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Molde FK and HJK Helsinki will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Champions League qualifier this week. The match between the club from Norway and the team from Finland will be held at the Aker Stadion and is scheduled to kick off at 6pm UK time on Wednesday. It is the second leg of the qualifying second round. The first leg ended in a 1-0 win for HJK Helsinki.

Molde FK

Molde FK are one of the biggest and most famous clubs in Norway who regularly play in European competitions. MFK won the Eliteserien in 2022 and featured in the group stage of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Erling Moe’s side are fourth in the 2023 Eliteserien table at the moment with 32 points from 17 matches. Molde FK are as many as nine points behind leaders Bodø/Glimt and three points behind Viking, who are currently second in the standings and have played 16 matches.

Molde FK will head into the match against HJK Helsinki on the back of a 1-0 victory over Stabaek away from home. It followed a 1-0 defeat to HJK Helsinki on the road and came after a 5-1 hammering of Sarpsborg 08 in front of their own fans.

Team News:

Martin Ellingsen was back in action at the weekend after recovering from injury. He could start for Molde FK against HJK Helsinki. Ola Brynhildsen is likely to be drafted back into the starting lineup. Martin Linnes and Kristoffer Haugen should be the two wing-backs.

HJK Helsinki

HJK Helsinki are one of the biggest and most famous clubs in Finland who regularly play in European competitions. Klubi won the Veikkausliiga title in 2022, their third in a row. They played in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2022-23.

Toni Korkeakunnas’s side are third in the 2023 Veikkausliiga table at the moment with 34 points from 18 matches. HJK Helsinki are a point behind Kuopion Palloseura and Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho, who are first and respectively in the standings. While Kuopion Palloseura have played 18 matches, Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho have played 17 games.

HJK Helsinki will head into the match against Molde FK on the back of a 2-1 victory over Seinäjoen Jalkapallokerho away from home. It came after a 1-0 win against Molde at home and followed a 1-0 victory over Tampereen Ilves in front of their own fans.

Team News:

HJK Helsinki are likely to be without their first-choice goalkeeper Dejan Iliev. Iliev suffered an injury at the weekend. Alex Ramula is now set to start for the visiting team in Molde. Jesse Ost is also an option to play between the sticks. Atomu Tanaka and Kevin Kouassivi-Benissan should return to the starting lineup after being rested at the weekend. Perparim Hetemaj is also available.

Key Factors to Consider

• Molde FK have won 4 of their last 6 competitive matches.
• HJK Helsinki have won their last 3 competitive matches.
• Molde FK have lost 1 of their last 6 competitive games.
• HJK Helsinki have won 2 and drawn 1 of their last three UEFA Champions League qualifying games.
• HJK Helsinki have won 4 of their last 6 competitive games.

Conclusion

Molde FK may have lost the first leg of the tie, but that match was played away from home. Erling Moe’s side will fancy their chances of winning the second leg in front of their own fans. Although HJK Helsinki have a good team, it is unlikely that they will be able to beat Molde FK on their own turf. It is very likely that Molde FK will get the win that they need to progress to the next round of the UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign.

Prediction: Molde FK to win 2-0

Best Odds: 7/2

Bookmaker: Zetbet