MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 18:45:14| >> :600:706710:706710:
[monks data]
Champions League | Second Qualifying Round | 2nd Leg
Jul 26, 2022 at 6pm UK
Doosan Aréna
HJK logo

Plzen
5 - 0
HJK Helsinki

Pernica (11'), Sykora (21', 73'), Hejda (31'), Kliment (84')
Hejda (34')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Preview: Viktoria Plzen vs. HJK Helsinki - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Champions League clash between Viktoria Plzen and HJK Helsinki, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After winning 2-1 in Finland last week, Viktoria Plzen will take a slender lead into the second leg of their Champions League second-round qualifying tie against HJK Helsinki.

The Finnish side are looking to avoid a fourth consecutive elimination in the second qualifying round, while Plzen are aiming to win at this stage of the competition for the first time since the 2013-14 season.


Match preview

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

Plzen are dreaming of a first Champions League group stage appearance since the 2018-19 campaign, but they have a long way to go in qualifying if they are to realise that dream.

In the short term, Plzen will take a narrow lead into the second leg on Tuesday after beating HJK 2-1 in Finland last week.

Tomas Chory got his side up and running from the penalty spot in the sixth minute before they were pegged back by a Bojan Radulovic equaliser five minutes after the restart.

However, Plzen required just seven minutes to restore their lead, with Jan Kopic grabbing what proved to be the winning goal for the Czech Republic champions.

Although Tuesday's hosts have won only one of their previous eight Champions League home games, they would be content with a draw that would help them progress to the next round.

While Plzen's domestic season begins this weekend, HJK Helsinki have six games left of their league campaign, with the defending champions currently three points behind league leaders KuPS.

Having played one game more than their title rivals, Toni Koskela's side face an uphill battle to retain the Veikkausliiga trophy.

Despite being in the middle of a title fight, HJK Helsinki will have to turn their focus to Champions League action on Tuesday as they bid to overturn a one-goal deficit.

Having won only one of their last six away Champions League games inside 90 minutes, HJK Helsinki will have to produce a faultless display to emerge victorious in the second leg.

If they can take the tie to penalties, the reigning champions of Finland will draw confidence from the shootout victory that they recorded against RFS in the previous round of Champions League qualifying.

Viktoria Plzen Champions League form:
  • W

HJK Helsinki Champions League form:
  • W
  • W
  • L

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


Team News

With no game to play between the two legs, Plzen are expected to name an unchanged side for Tuesday's contest.

Ludek Pernica will continue in central defence alongside Lukas Hejda, with the pair aiming to keep a clean sheet that would secure Plzen's passage into the next round.

After scoring in the first leg, Chory will provide one of the home side's main goal threats when he leads the line against HJK Helsinki.

As for the visitors, Renho and Raitala were rested at the weekend, with the duo set to return to the starting lineup to form a back three alongside Arttu Hoskonen.

David Browne was another player left out on Saturday, but the Papua New Guinea international is expected to start the second leg.

After scoring in the first leg, Radulovic found the net once again on Saturday, and the 22-year-old will be hoping to help his side overturn a one-goal deficit.

Viktoria Plzen possible starting lineup:
Stanek; Reznik, Pernica, Hejda, Havel; Bucha, Kalvach; Kopic, Sykora, Mosquera; Chory

HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Raitala, Hoskonen, Tenho; Browne, Hetemaj, Vaananen, Hostikka, Murilo; Abubakari, Radulovic


SM words green background

We say: Viktoria Plzen 3-1 HJK Helsinki

After putting in a fine away display in Finland last week, we think that Plzen will utilise home advantage to claim a comfortable win on Tuesday that would set up a third qualifying round tie against Maribor or Sheriff Tiraspol.


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 over 1.5 goals 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.Over 1.5:data


ID:490797:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7916:
Written by
Ben Sully

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: Plzen vs HJK Helsinki

Viktoria Plzen
85.1%
Draw
6.8%
HJK Helsinki
8.1%
74
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sheriff Tiraspol's Sebastien Thill celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on October 19, 2021
Read Next:
Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Maribor vs. Sheriff Tiraspol
>
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
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1AC Milan00000
2Arsenal00000
3Aston Villa00000
4Atalanta00000
5Atletico00000
6Barcelona00000
7B. Leverkusen00000
8Bayern00000
9Benfica00000
10Bologna00000
11Dortmund00000
12Brest00000
13Celtic00000
14Brugge00000
15Dinamo Zagreb00000
16Feyenoord00000
17Girona00000
18Inter Milan00000
19Juventus00000
20Lille00000
21Liverpool00000
22Man City00000
23Monaco00000
24PSV00000
25PSG00000
26RB Leipzig00000
27Real Madrid00000
28Salzburg00000
29Red Star00000
30Shakhtar00000
31Slovan Bratislava00000
32Sparta Prague00000
33Sporting Lisbon00000
34Sturm Graz00000
35Stuttgart00000
36Young Boys00000


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!