BATE Borisov vs HJK Helsinki Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

BATE Borisov have become a Champions League staple in recent years. They’re consistently in the mix to qualify from the group stage, and the resounding riches on offer there only strengthen their place at the top in Belarus. This cycle keeps them in a fantastic position, but can they go all the way to the last 32 this season? They face their first European tie of the year, as they clash with Finnish side HJK Helsinki on Wednesday night. Will the hosts claim a win as they look to continue their push for a group stage place?

BATE ended up playing in the Europa League group stage last term, after an early exit in Europe in 2016. They’re aiming to return to the group stage of this competition for the first time since 2015, when they ended up facing the likes of Roma and Barcelona. First off, they need to see off smaller sides, with their first hurdle this season coming in the shape of HJK. Can the visitors prove to be a challenge?

The hosts have been made favourites to pick up a win and take a step towards the third qualifying round. They’re three ties away from the group stage, in a year where the number of qualifiers has been cut down to just six. However, BATE are equipped to go all the way, their only issue is going to be their defence. They slipped up at the back in both of their home qualifiers in 2017, while they’ve shipped goals in five straight matches in this competition ahead of Wednesday’s match.

The visitors may come here as outsiders, but fine form in their domestic league is bound to count for something. They are seven points clear at the top of the Veikkausliiga, having conceded in 90% of their games. They’ve averaged 1.9 goals per game so far this term, which is form they’ll be hoping to carry over in to the Champions League this week.

HJK have scored eight times across their previous three away trips in the Champions League, and we expect them to cause problems in this one. BATE don’t tend to concede too many per game, but they are certainly lax enough at the back to concede in this tie. We see them shipping a goal on Wednesday night, which has BTTS as our main tip. We’re also going for a home win and BTTS, while we can see a 2-1 home win.