Roma vs HJK Helsinki Predictions

• Roma are unbeaten in their last 14 home games in all competitions, since a 4-3 defeat to Juventus in January.
• The Giallorossi have kept five clean sheets in their last six home matches, winning four of those games.
• HJK Helsinki have failed to score in five of their last seven European ties, excluding qualifiers.

Giallorossi look to kick-start campaign

Roma fell to a demoralising 2-1 Europa League defeat at Ludogorets last week, but after bouncing back with a Serie A victory over Empoli on Monday, are strong favourites to get their European campaign up and running when they host HJK Helsinki – the expected whipping boys of Group C – on Thursday.

While Jose Mourinho’s men have won on just one of their last four road trips, their record at the Stadio Olimpico is fearsome – Roma are unbeaten in 14 home matches in all competitions since a 4-3 reverse to Juventus in January. The Giallorossi have also kept five clean sheets in their last six games on home soil, winning four of those matches, and should be able to keep their opponents at arm’s length.

HJK are going well on the domestic front, going unbeaten through their last six matches, but look ill-equipped to compete on the continent; the Finnish club have lost five of their last seven European ties excluding qualifiers, failing to score in all five defeats and only beating Armenian side Alashkert in that time. HJK were well beaten by Real Betis last time out – no Europa League team conceded more expected goals (2.9 xGA) on matchday one, and only Olympiakos (0.2 xG) created fewer (0.3 xG).

Roma set for shutout win

Given their outstanding home record and good defensive form, backing Roma to win to nil against toothless opponents looks a strong play for Thursday’s match.

Meanwhile, HJK conceded 15 goals in the Europa Conference League group stages last term, so a 3-0 home win could be a decent correct score prediction.