HJK vs AS Roma prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-26 19:00.
With their 32nd Finnish Veikkausliiga title already in the bag, HJK Helsinki ended their domestic season with a 1-0 defeat at home on October 16, which has left them more time to prepare for their final two competitive matches of 2022. However, a 2-0 loss in their last UEFA Europa League (UEL) fixture against Ludogorets has left them only fighting for a transfer to the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) after claiming only one point so far (D1, L3).
Subsequently sitting bottom of Group C three points adrift of Roma who they lost 3-0 to in the reverse H2H, HJK simply have to win this game to have any chance of claiming that third place. But recreating a shock result against the Rome giants akin to their famous win against the all-conquering Liverpool side in the early 1980s would be a huge surprise, especially as they’ve won just one of their last five European group stage games.
On the back of a damaging 1-0 home defeat to Napoli in Serie A on Sunday night, a loss which was labelled as ‘undeserved‘ by coach José Mourinho, Roma will be travelling north with only a win on their minds as they trail second-placed Ludogorets by three points. Failure to win here could well condemn them to drop down into the UECL, although that would at least give them the chance to defend the trophy they won earlier this year!
Barring warm clothes, Roma’s travelling fans might also have to pack some patience as the Giallorossi have led at half-time just once across their last seven away matches. However, they have at least recently improved their away form after winning three of their last four road trips (D1), with the only draw coming in their latest UEL match at Betis (1-1) which kept them in play for second place.
Players to watch: Scorer of HJK’s only goal in the group stage this season, Perparim Hetemaj has played against Roma 17 times in his career (W3, D6, L8), picking up eight yellow cards along the way. Andrea Belotti has scored both his goals for Roma in this competition, including the equaliser against Betis.
Hot streak: None of HJK’s last 18 UEL games produced more goals before half-time than after (W4, D6, L8).