HJK Helsinki vs Vikingur Gota Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

It probably wasn’t as convincing a margin as the Finnish outfit would’ve hoped for, though it’s fair to say that Lehkuso’s men got the job done. Having won away from home, bagging two away-goals in the process, Tuesday’s hosts ought to be confident of finishing the job off and thus progressing to the next round of qualifying.

HJK are far from being European giants, though they’ve got a far greater continental European pedigree that Vikingur, who hail from the Faroe Islands. The minnows knew that beating their Finnish opponents would be tough, even on their own patch, though they can perhaps be pleased with their efforts. Having lost and conceded two goals in the process, their chances of progressing are slim, but they’re at least still in the tie, which may just have given them the confidence required to have a go at Telia 5G -areena.

The score-line in the first-leg may have suggested that a close game took place, though that couldn’t be further from the truth. HJK dominated from start to finish, scored two early goals and continued to create chances. But for some poor finishing and a few good saves, the Finnish outfit would’ve won by a landslide. However, all is not lost. They may have failed to go clear on the road, but they ought to be more than capable of battering their opponents now back in front of a home crowd.

From a defensive point of view, it was abundantly clear right from the word go that Vikingur were going to struggle in that first-leg. Logi Ólafsson’s men conceded several chances and were very fortunate not to be four goals down by half-time. They continued to look weak at the back in the second half. At the other end, though they did score a somewhat fortuitous goal, they offered little. With that first-leg performance in mind, it would be a great surprise if the Tuesday visitors did anything other than take a beating.

Given how easily they fashioned chances in the away leg, HJK should have no problem whatsoever creating openings and, more importantly scoring goals in this fixture. Lehkuso’s men have scored plenty of goals at home of late, as they’ve notched no less than 15 in their last five matches at Telia 5G -areena. What’s more, with the visitors chasing the game, the hosts should have no problems whatsoever breaking down what is ultimately a very poor rear-guard.

Last week there was a clear disparity in quality, regardless of what the score-line suggests, so the hosts are fancied to put their opponents to the sword now back on their own patch. Backing ‘HJK -2 Handicap’ is the way to make this fixture pay.