- Raków Czestochowa have won 4 of their last 5 games and have a goal average of 2.17 at home.
- Hammarby have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their away matches across all competitions.
Goals expected when Raków clash with Hammarby
The odds favor Rakow Czestochowa as slight favourites at 59/50 when they host Hammarby IF in the first leg of a two-game UEFA Conference League qualifier for 2026 on Thursday, but the visitors aren't far behind at 233/100 with the draw available at 253/100.
The momentum of this matchup has swung the other way for both sides in their two most recent games. Raków were beaten 1-2 at home by Wisla Plock in the Polish Ekstraklasa, but then enjoyed a 0-4 away win over Valletta FC in UEFA Conference League qualification on Sunday. Hammarby's most recent two outings have seen them draw 1-1 away to IF Brommapojkarna in the Swedish Allsvenskan and then lose 3-1 away to RSC Anderlecht in UEFA Europa League qualifying.
Raków are a well-drilled and defensive unit that have done well this term under the guidance of Dawid Kroczek, who was appointed to the job on 4 May 2026. The Eagles are usually packed tightly in a low block and will morph into a back five when out of possession, inviting Hammarby to work the ball into wide areas and try to break them down.
Hammarby are a much more expansive side, playing a 4-3-3 with high pressing, wide play and quick combinations through the half-spaces. This contrast of styles should lead to an intriguing chess match with Raków hoping to close down the middle third and hit on the break while Hammarby will look to stretch the field and force turnovers.
Raków have more form, but Hammarby are a threat
On paper, Raków look the more likely winners as they are in the better form with seven wins in their last ten across all competitions, whereas Hammarby are slightly less impressive with four wins, two draws and four defeats in their most recent ten.
The Eagles are strong at home with four wins and two defeats from their first six, but Hammarby have been less convincing on their travels of late with no win in two. However, Henrik Rydström's appointment on 6 June has been a breath of fresh air for the visitors and they remain a danger in this tie as they have a sharp player up top in Paulos Abraham, who has bagged three goals in his last five games for a Hammarby side that have scored eight in total.
The best play here looks to be on goals as Hammarby are likely to keep the match close and Raków have the superior forward in Patryk Makuch, who has already scored twice in two matches in this year's UEFA Conference League qualification. The Over 2.5 market is taken at 4/5 with Both Teams to Score - Yes taken at 13/20, while a narrow Raków win would be the most natural play.
