Viktoria Plzen will be looking to take their advantage into the finish line
The 2nd round of the qualifying stage for the UEFA Champions League now features the second legs, before seamlessly continuing with the 3rd round a week later. So the dates are already very close in the qualifying phase.
Before the match Viktoria Pilsen vs. HJK, the betting odds indicate a favourite role for the hosts. The latter already won the first leg in Finland, albeit narrowly with 2:1.
Of course, the narrow lead means that nothing has been decided yet. The guests from Helsinki have quality in their squad and want to show it on the pitch. The match kicks off on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Viktoria Pilsen – Statistics & current form
The season has not yet started in the domestic league, but the first leg was an important test for Viktoria Pilsen. The Czechs won with 2:1 at the Finnish representative in Helsinki. The goal for the second leg is now obvious, the hosts want to do things right at home and secure their place in the 3rd round. The dream of the group stage would then of course live on.
With only one match completed so far this season, it is of course necessary to look at the final phase of the previous season in order to identify a trend. This trend, let it be said, is in any case very positive. Viktoria Pilsen have not lost any of their last 15 competitive matches, and they have won an impressive eleven of them.
Now, the Czech league is not on the top shelf in Europe, but HJK from Finland doesn’t belong there either. That’s why Viktoria Pilsen don’t have to change their own approach to be successful. In combination with the individual superiority of the squad and a broad chest, the favourites for the Czechs are almost automatic.
Will Viktoria Pilsen’s impressive streak continue?
The long series without defeat should naturally inspire the Czechs. Moreover, a draw in the second leg against HJK is enough to advance to the 3rd qualifying round. So there is no great pressure, and the longer the game goes on, the more room there might be. It is also conceivable that the hosts will initially place more emphasis on defence.
In the pre-season, Viktoria Pilsen had the best defence in the domestic league, losing only two of 30 regular-season games. This shows that this team not only performs very well in some games, but also consistently plays at a high level. The host was then especially strong in the championship round, when 13 points were taken in the five games.
So there are many things that suggest that the hosts will bring their quality to the pitch and also get a good result in the second leg. Since the pressure of the first leg result is not on the hosts and they can afford a more defensive approach, our prediction before the match Viktoria Pilsen vs HJK is that not both teams will score.
Predicted line-up of Viktoria Pilsen:
Stanek – Reznik, Pernica, Hejda, Havel – Bucha, Kalvach, Qose, Kopić, Mosquera – Chory
Last matches played by Viktoria Pilsen:
Champions League Qualification
20/07/2022 – HJK 1 – 2 Viktoria Pilsen
Club friendlies
12/07/2022 – Beşiktaş 0 – 0 Viktoria Pilsen
08/07/2022 – Viktoria Pilsen 1 – 3 VV St. Truiden
1st League Championship Group
15/05/2022 – Viktoria Pilsen 1 – 0 Banik Ostrava
11/05/2022 – FC Hradec Králové 0 – 2 Viktoria Pilsen
HJK – Statistics & current form
HJK from Helsinki with coach Toni Koskela is already in the middle of the season. However, the Finns did not know how to use this advantage in the first leg, which was played at home. The 1:2 means that it will now be very difficult to reach the next round. The Finnish squad consists of a healthy mix of experienced players and young talents, but the individual quality is not too high, which could already be noticed in the first leg.
In the domestic league, HJK generally plays a football that is characterised by a certain risk. This works well for long stretches, because not many teams in Finland are better. Three defeats in 16 games so far are definitely too many for the visitors’ standards. Overall, however, the defence is quite good, with an average of less than one goal conceded per game.
This becomes even clearer when looking at the away games. HJK have played eight games away from home in the league, with a goal difference of 9:4, so there will be no spectacle on offer when the team travels from Helsinki.
HJK: Current form is good
Compared to the hosts, HJK from Finland is currently at least in rhythm. And the form is good. HJK won the dress rehearsal at the weekend in the domestic league, anyway, after an interim low, there have now been six games, of which only one was lost and that was the first leg against Viktoria Pilsen.
Of course, this form should now be built on. The fact that the away goals rule no longer applies is also an advantage, because even a 1:0 is now enough to advance to extra time and then perhaps to the next round. In the end, however, the difference in quality is likely to be decisive. Therefore, before the match Viktoria Pilsen vs. HJK, our value tip is that the hosts will win and have already set the course for victory at the break.
Predicted line-up of HJK:
Hazard – Tenho, Ajauuri, Toivio – Soiri, Hetemaj, Boujellab, Raitala – Hostikka, Riksi, Abubakari
Last matches played by HJK:
Veikkausliiga
23/07/2022 – FC Ilves Tampere 1 – 2 HJK
Champions League Qualifier
20/07/2022 – HJK 1 – 2 Viktoria Pilsen
Veikkausliiga
16/07/2022 – HJK 3 – 1 Vaasa PS
Champions League Qualifier
12/07/2022 – RFS (4)2 – 1(5) HJK
06/07/2022 – HJK 1 – 0 RFS
Viktoria Plzen – HJK Direct comparison / H2H balance
The first leg in Finland was the first match that both teams have played against each other. Accordingly, Viktoria Pilsen hold a narrow lead in the direct comparison
Viktoria Plzen – HJK Tip
Viktoria Pilsen are not favourites in this match for nothing. The team is forever unbeaten, individually better and already showed their quality on the pitch impressively in the first leg
As even a draw is enough and the hosts have a decent defence, the approach for the Czechs should not be too offensive. Therefore, before the match Viktoria Pilsen vs HJK our tip is that not both teams will score.
