MX23RW : Friday, March 29 14:10:23| >> :600:3720544:3720544:
[monks data]
HJK logo
Champions League | First Qualifying Round | 1st Leg
Jul 6, 2022 at 5pm UK
Bolt Arena

HJK Helsinki
1 - 0
RFS

Martic (11')
Vaananen (15'), Peltola (49')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Jagodinskis (11'), Zjuzins (47'), Sorokins (83')

Preview: HJK Helsinki vs. Rigas Futbola Skola - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Champions League clash between HJK Helsinki and Rigas Futbola Skola, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki will welcome Latvian side Rigas Futbola Skola to Helsinki on Wednesday for the first leg of their first qualifying round contest in the Champions League.

The home side lifted their 31st Veikkausliiga title last term, while RFS won last year's Lavian Higher League to secure their spot in the Champions League first qualifying round.


Match preview

HJK Helsinki's Roope Riski celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on July 21, 2021© Reuters

Helsinki are the most successful side in the history of Finnish football, having won the top division on 31 occasions, including last year, which allowed them to qualify for the first qualifying round of the European Cup.

The Club played in the Europa Conference League last season but were unable to progress through the group stage, finishing third in a section which included LASK, Alashkert and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Helsinki fell in the second qualifying round of the Champions League last season, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Malmo, but they did play in the group stage of the 1998-99 European Cup, finishing fourth in Group F.

HJK are the only Finnish club to have participated in the group stage of the Champions League, and they should be in a good condition leading into this two-legged affair, having already started their 2022 league season.

Indeed, Toni Koskela's side have played 14 league games this term and currently sit second in the table, three points behind leaders KuPS, with the top two playing out a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

RFS, meanwhile, won their first ever Latvian Higher League title last year, finishing with 66 points from their 28 matches, which allowed them to secure their spot at this stage of the Champions League.

Viktors Morozs's side fell in the first qualifying round of both the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Europa League campaigns, but they reached the third qualifying round of the 2021-22 Europa Conference League, ultimately losing to Gent.

RFS are bidding to make the group stage of the Champions League for the first time, but they face a tough examination by a HJK outfit that will be expecting to progress through this two-legged tie.

The visitors are also deep into their domestic league campaign, and they will enter this match off the back of a 4-0 victory over BFC Daugavpils on June 30.

A total of 45 points from 20 matches has left them in second spot in the table, five points off the summit, and they will be looking to make it three straight wins in all competitions on Wednesday.

HJK Helsinki form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D

Rigas Futbola Skola form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W


Team News

Helsinki boss Koskela was forced to withdraw Atomu Tanaka at the interval of their league contest with KuPS on Saturday, so it would not be a surprise to see the attacker miss out here.

As a result, there could be a starting role for Santeri Vaananen, but it might otherwise be the same XI that took to the field last time out.

Santeri Hostikka is expected to feature in the final third of the field for the home side, while there should also be another start for David Browne.

Former Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard is also in line to feature for Helsinki in this contest.

Rigas, meanwhile, have not reported any fresh injury concerns from their win over Daugavpils in the league on June 30, so it would not be a surprise to see a similar side take to the field.

Head coach Morozs has a decision to make when it comes to Deniss Rakels, though, as the 29-year-old netted twice off the bench last time out, and he could now come in for a start.

Brazilian Emerson has also on the scoresheet in the team's last match, and the number nine is expected to feature in the final third of the field for the away side.

HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Raitala, Tenho, Murilo, Hoskonen; Peltola, Vaananen, Browne, Serrarens; Hostikka, Olusanya

Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:
Steinbors; Jagodinskis, Sorokins, Lipuscek, Zjuzins; Saric, Mares, Panic, Rakels; Friesenbichler, Emerson


SM words green background

We say: HJK Helsinki 2-1 Rigas Futbola Skola

We are expecting Wednesday's contest to be a tight affair, and the fact that Rigas have had longer to recover could play a part in the final result. That said, we are tipping Helsinki to triumph on the night and also expect them to have too much quality over the two legs.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


ID:489307:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9009:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: HJK Helsinki vs RFS

HJK Helsinki
66.7%
Draw
12.8%
Rigas Futbola Skola
20.5%
39
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Rochdale's Scott Hogan and Leeds' Jason Pearce battle for the ball during their FA Cup third round match on January 4, 2013
Read Next:
Reading 'lining up bid for Scott Hogan'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QBayern651016
QCopenhagen62228
3Galatasaray61235
4Man Utd61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QArsenal641113
QPSV62319
3Lens62228
4Sevilla60242

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Madrid660018
QNapoli631210
3Braga61144
4Union Berlin60242

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QReal Sociedad633012
QInter Milan633012
3Benfica61144
4Salzburg61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtletico642014
QLazio631210
3Feyenoord62046
4Celtic61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QDortmund632111
QPSG62228
3AC Milan62228
4Newcastle61235

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QMan City660018
QRB Leipzig640212
3Young Boys61144
4Red Star60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QBarcelona640212
QPorto640212
3Shakhtar63039
4Antwerp61053


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!