- HJK have won seven of their last ten matches across all competitions, losing two, and are on a four-game winning streak.
- Motherwell have won four of their last ten across all competitions, drawing one and losing five.
High-intensity game expected in Helsinki
HJK and Motherwell's new-look sides are not expected to have met before, so there is nothing to go on in the head-to-head record for what could be a tight clash at the Bolt Arena in Finland on Thursday. HJK are coming into the game in red-hot form, however, winning each of their past four and beating FC TPS Turku 1-0 at home in their previous Veikkausliiga outing and Coleraine 3-0 in Europe away.
HJK boss Joonas Rantanen has them playing a highly controlled and structured game from a compact 3-4-2-1 base, with the wing-backs stretching the width of the pitch when possible. The hosts are set up to build from the middle third, but can be very sharp on the counter when they are able to push men into the wide channels and play on the break.
Motherwell's game is more high-energy and vertical, built around pressing triggers, quick combinations and instant attacks when possession is won. Alfred Johansson took charge of the Scottish side on 1 July 2026 and his initial assignment will be to keep the high-energy framework he inherited running whilst trying to refine the tactics.
Well can make their mark in wide-open contest
Motherwell are also in decent form, having strung together back-to-back wins over HB Torshavn (2-0 at home and 3-0 away) in UEFA Conference League qualification after a 3-4 home defeat to Genk. But their overall form is more patchy, with four wins, one draw and five defeats in their last ten.
This looks to be a classic battle of styles - a controlled, possession-based side against a pressing, counter-attacking one. Motherwell, despite their smaller squad, have been a genuine threat away from home this season, winning three and losing three of their six away games across all competitions. They average 1.33 goals scored and 1.67 conceded per away game across all competitions and this looks a similar level of challenge to that they have faced previously.
HJK average 2.17 goals scored and 1.50 goals conceded per home game across all competitions so that also fits the bill in terms of our goals expectations for this. Both teams to score at 3/5 is liveable given the two teams' contrasting styles and Over 2.5 goals at 39/50 looks a better option to capture the potential end-to-end nature of the match. Motherwell are a shade favourite at 31/20, with HJK at 33/20 and the draw at 23/10 and we feel there is enough of a home advantage to push the Finns over the line in a tight European affair. A HJK home win by the odd goal is possible and would justify taking the hosts at their current odds.
Teemu Pukki will be their main striker in the box, with his sharp, off-the-ball movement and clinical finish giving the home side a proper poacher. The Finn has two goals in qualifying so far, so take him on anytime. Motherwell have a similar type in Lukas Fadinger, who has three of the club's last eight and two in their two Conference League games, so he looks the most likely man to score at both ends in the visitors' rotating front three.
