Helsinki vs Borisov Balanced on a Knife Edge

Champions League | Preview

01/08/18

Helsinki vs Borisov Balanced on a Knife Edge

The second leg of the 2018/19 Champions League second qualifying ties are played this week. There are some evenly balanced ties to look forward to and one of the standout matches is between HJK Helsinki and BATE Borisov.

The first leg ended 0-0 at the Borisov Arena last week, with neither team able to make the crucial breakthrough. Both teams failed to create enough chances to score a goal and we could be in for another tight, tense night of football at the Telia 5G Arena on Wednesday night.

HJK Helsinki will be pleased to come into this match with the tie level at 0-0 following the away leg. Despite not scoring an away goal, it leaves them knowing a win in-front of their own fans will be enough to see them through.

The Finnish champions are a team in form and they look on course to regain their domestic title this season. With twenty-one games played, HJK Helsinki are 10 points clear at the top of the league and enjoyed a 2-1 win at Honka on the weekend.

That win means HJK Helsinki have lost only three of their Veikkausliga and Champions league matches this season. Trends show they have won five and drawn one of their last six competitive games, with the draw coming in the first leg of this tie.

HJK Helsinki have won each of their last eight home games, including a 3-1 win over Vikingur in the previous qualifying round of the Champions league. They have scored 2 or more goals in each of those eight matches.

BATE Borisov will be disappointed not to be taking a lead with them to the Finnish capital for the second leg. However, they are still very much in the tie and know an away goal would give them the advantage.

BATE Borisov did not play in their Belarussian Premier League on the weekend, allowing them to concentrate fully on this match. Even though they did not play, BATE Borisov maintained their place at the top of the league, 7 points clear of second place Dinamo Minsk.

Trends show the Belarussian champions are undefeated in their last nine games in all competitions, winning seven and drawing two. Their away form shows four straight wins and just one defeat in their last thirteen in all competitions.

However, Champions league away form is not good and BATE Borisov have won only one of their last nineteen away matches, including a 1-0 defeat at Slavia Prague in the qualifying rounds last season.

Team news and HJK Helsinki will be without the injured defensive duo of Daniel O'Shaughnessy and Juha Pirinen. Akseli Pelvas did not feature in the first leg and is also expected to miss this match.

BATE Borisov have no injury or suspension concerns and having rested on the weekend, should come into this game with their first choice starting XI.

HJK Helsinki have a strong home record in the Champions League, remaining undefeated in their last six games. They are in great form at home in their domestic league and should have enough to win this game and progress to the third qualifying round of the Champions League.