HJK Helsinki not only won the first leg of this all-Nordic tie, but managed to secure two away goals in the process which will give them confidence of qualifying for the next round with a positive result back in the Finnish capital.
With a record 11 league titles, HJK are Finland’s most successful club, however, they have been knocked off their perch at the top of Finnish football in recent years and could only manage second place in the 2015 season, hence why they are in the Europa League qualifiers rather than the Champions League.
They are currently second in this season’s Veikkausliiga, a solitary point off top spot but have a superior goal difference over IFK Mariehamn. The Finns have had a good run at home recently and when you look at their squad and see several players who used to play in major European leagues such as Finnish legend Mikael Forssell and Taye Taiwo, you imagine they should be able to finish the job on IFK Gothenburg.
IFK used to be one of the biggest sides in Swedish football but have failed to win a domestic title since 2007 whilst they have not made any major impact on the European stage since the late 1980’s when they reached the quarter and semi-finals of the European Cup on a regular basis as well as winning the UEFA Cup in the 1986/87 season.
Although they finished an impressive second last season, they perhaps feel they should have claimed top prize as that found its way into the hands of IFK Norrköping who had not won a league title since 1989. This season has so far been one to forget as they find themselves outside the European spots, although their form has improved recently.
With HJK having secured two away goals, you would back them to finish the job off at home to secure a safe passage into the next round at a favourable 2/1. The side from the Finnish capital will be able to use their superior European and big-game experience to overcome their Swedish opponents.
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