{"id":140329,"date":"2026-08-04T15:41:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/140329\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T15:41:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:41:14","slug":"preview-hjk-helsinki-vs-motherwell-prediction-team-news-lineups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/140329\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: HJK Helsinki vs Motherwell – prediction, team news, lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"

HJK Helsinki<\/a> welcome Motherwell<\/a> to the Bolt Arena on Thursday for the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying round tie.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The hosts defeated Coleraine FC 8-0 on aggregate in the second round, while the visitors progressed past HB Torshavn with a 5-0 triumph over the two legs.<\/p>\n

Match preview<\/p>\n

HJK Helsinki head into this Conference League third qualifying round tie hoping to move one step closer to returning to the league phase for the first time since 2024-25, having disappointingly missed out last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Klubi remarkably came from 4-0 down to win 5-4 in their first qualifying round tie in 2025-26, but subsequently failed to progress past Arda Kardzhali in the second round, suffering elimination on penalties.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aiming to right those wrongs, Joonas Rantanen<\/a>‘s side started their 2026-27 qualifying campaign with a comprehensive victory against Coleraine FC in the second round, winning 5-0 in the first leg and 3-0 in the reverse fixture.<\/p>\n

However, they failed to build on those victories in their Veikkausliiga fixture earlier this week, suffering a shock 3-0 defeat to SJK and allowing Oulu to leapfrog them into third in the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rantanen’s team will aim to immediately bounce back on Thursday, and they will draw confidence from a return to their home ground, where they have won all of their last four games.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, opponents Motherwell enter into Thursday’s fixture in fine form and will be confident of recording a first-leg win to take back to their home ground in the reverse fixture next week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Steelmen endured a difficult pre-season under new manager Alfred Johansson<\/a>, who replaced the departing Jens Berthel Askou, with two defeats from their two friendly fixtures.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, Motherwell have demonstrated their quality since the start of the 2026-27 campaign, winning all of their first three competitive fixtures under their new boss.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Johansson’s side comfortably defeated HB Torshavn 5-0 on aggregate in the Conference League second qualifying round, followed by a narrow 2-1 win against Hibernian in their first match of the Scottish Premiership season.<\/p>\n

Motherwell’s attention will now return to the Conference League, where they will be aiming to secure a commanding victory ahead of the reverse fixture back at Fir Park, with the Steelmen ultimately looking to secure qualification to European competition for the first time since the 2008-09 UEFA Cup.<\/p>\n

HJK Helsinki Conference League form:<\/p>\n

W W<\/p>\n

HJK Helsinki form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

L W W W W L<\/p>\n

Motherwell Conference League form:<\/p>\n

W W<\/p>\n

Motherwell form (all competitions):<\/p>\n

W W W<\/p>\n

Team News<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ Focus Images<\/p>\n

Veteran Teemu Pukki<\/a> has scored two and assisted two in the Conference League this term, and the forward should lead the line for HJK Helsinki.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pukki is likely to be supported by Alfie Cicale, Martin Kirilov and Toivo Mero in attack, while Mouhamed Gueye and Lucas Lingman should feature at the base of midfield.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Johnny Koutroumbis, Jordan McGhee, Stephen O’Donnell, Callum Hendry, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Paul McGinn are all unavailable for Motherwell due to injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tawanda Maswanhise<\/a>, Scottish Premiership top scorer in 2025-26, featured from the bench in the opening league game of the term at the weekend, and the forward could start on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Ost; Ylitolva, Tikkanen, Cissokho, Simojoki; Lingman, Gueye; Mero, Kirilov, Cicale; Pukki<\/p>\n

Motherwell possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Paulsen; Sparrow, Girdwood-Reich, Moorman, Williams; Vogt, Priestman, Fadinger, Said; Charles-Cook, Maswanhise<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We say: HJK Helsinki 0-2 Motherwell<\/p>\n


\n\u00a0
\n \n<\/p>\n

Motherwell have enjoyed a superb start under Johansson, and the in-form visitors should prove too strong for HJK Helsinki on Thursday.<\/p>\n

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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