- HJK have won seven of their last ten in all competitions (two defeats).
- Motherwell have won three and lost three of their six away matches in all competitions.
- Teemu Pukki has scored two goals in two for HJK Helsinki in UEFA Conference League qualification.
It’s a stylistic clash
Style is going to be the major factor when HJK Helsinki and Motherwell face off in this UEFA Conference League qualification battle on Thursday at Bolt Arena. HJK are a controlled, structured side that can get on the turn in a flash when the wide areas open up, while Motherwell are a high-tempo, vertical team, who are set up around pressing triggers and rapid combinations, then going forward in the blink of an eye when they get the ball back.
Joonas Rantanen's men have enough to edge out a narrow victory in this European clash based on their current form and their home edge, but there are plenty of goals and opportunities on both sides to get excited about. HJK have won their last four matches, beating FC TPS Turku 1-0 at home in the Veikkausliiga last time out and hammering Coleraine 3-0 away in their previous European clash.
They have won four, drawn one and lost one of their six home matches across all competitions and are very well set to go on the attack against a Motherwell side that will come out to press them at every opportunity. The Finnish club have a true number nine, Teemu Pukki, who has the sharp movement to get into the best positions in the box and be their finisher. Motherwell have a danger man, Lukas Fadinger, who has the knack of scoring goals - two in the UEFA Conference League qualification and three of Well's last eight overall.
All is balanced on a knife edge
This is a new clash for both clubs and there is no head-to-head record to lean on, but the bookies have the Scottish side ahead by the narrowest of margins at 2.55, compared to HJK at 2.65 and the draw at 3.3. The Well have won back-to-back games, beating HB Torshavn 2-0 at home and 3-0 away in the UEFA Conference League qualification following a 3-4 home defeat to Genk.
It is too close to call on the basis of the teams' respective starts to the season and recent form in domestic competitions, although Motherwell's all-competitions form of 4-1-5 from their last 10 is a clear warning to the hosts.
Alfred Johansson has been in charge of the Scottish club since 1st July 2026 and his early priority is to keep the high-energy framework in place while making minor tactical changes to keep the players fresh and focused. Both teams to score looks live at 1.6, but Over 2.5 goals at 1.78 could well come in as the Finns are averaging 2.17 goals scored and 1.50 conceded per home match across all competitions while the Well are averaging 1.33 scored and 1.67 conceded away from home across all competitions.
