- Recent form: Hammarby IF are unbeaten in their last two home games, winning 1 and drawing 1, while Raków Czestochowa are also 1 win and 1 loss in their last 2 away.
- Average goals: The average number of goals for Hammarby IF at home and Raków Czestochowa away are both 2.0.
- Key players: Paulos Abraham has 3 goals in his last 5 appearances for Hammarby IF, while Patryk Makuch has 2 in 3 UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 games for Raków.
Battling to break through in Stockholm
Match context
After Hammarby IF and Rakow Czestochowa played out a 0-0 tie in the 1st Leg of their UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 tie, there is a tense, tight feel to this return leg. In a matchup that pits the high press against the low-block, the difference may come from how each team handles the wide areas and half-spaces.
Hammarby form
The hosts have been solid but not dominant in recent fixtures, registering 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats in their last 10 games in all competitions. They are unbeaten in their last 2 home matches however, with 1 win and 1 draw giving them a decent platform to build on.
Paulos Abraham has been their spark plug in this period, scoring 3 goals in their last 5 matches. Hammarby IF have scored 7 goals in total during this period, so it's fair to say that their defence is tight, but their goals are coming in short bursts.
Raków have the structure to remain in the game
Raków have a similar sort of form to their opponents, with the last 5 games yielding 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, another mixed patch that has this tie finely poised. They will have plenty of belief heading to the 3Arena however, given that they have won 1 and lost 1 of their last 2 road games.
Patryk Makuch is their most consistent threat, with 2 of his 3 strikes coming in the last 3 matches in this competition, and 3 of the side's last 9 goals coming in the side's last 9 fixtures.
The verdict
That looks like a classic European chess match, and we believe the hosts have the edge at home, but Rakow are well-equipped to drag this out. Hammarby's typical 3-5-2 is more suited to structured progression and vertical punches, and when their wingers are able to stretch the play, they are a real threat.
- The odds tell the story here, with Hammarby favourites at 2.27, with the visitors at 3.0 and the draw at 3.35.
- Dawid Kroczek has Raków sitting in a back-five hybrid system, defending in numbers and looking to pinch the odd goal on the break or from set pieces.
- Henrik Rydström has maintained the pressing style that has always defined Hammarby IF, but has added a little more control, possession and defensive detail.
- The 0-0 first leg backs up our fancy here of both teams to score at 1.7, while we're also going with under 2.5 goals at 1.87.
