HJK vs Panevezys

HJK’s chances of progressing past the opening Champions League qualifying round are hanging by a thread as they welcome Penevezys at Bolt Arena.

Bidding to secure their first appearance in the Champions League proper since 1998/99, HJK got their qualifying campaign off to an awful start, succumbing to a dreadful 3-0 first-leg loss in Lithuania. Despite reaching the second qualifying round of Europe’s elite club competition in all 13 attempts in the 21st century, ‘Klubi’ must climb a mountain to pull off a turnaround in this one-sided tie. That’s easier said than done, especially after Toni Korkeakunnas’ side failed to get on the scoresheet in three of their last four competitive outings (W1, D1, L2). Back-to-back 3-0 defeats across two competitions paint a bleak picture for the Finish powerhouse, though they can take heart from winning their last two home games by 3+ goals ‘to one.’

As for Panevezys, they couldn’t have dreamt of a better way to kick off their maiden Champions League qualifying campaign. However, they can’t afford to take anything for granted after losing three of their four previous European qualification ties. Panevezys’ travel sickness has seen them lose three of their four continental fixtures on the road without scoring, highlighting the importance of taking this trip seriously. As if that’s not worrying enough, the Lithuanians had lost four consecutive away matches before easing past Suduva 3-1 on their last travel. With four of those five games featuring over 2.5 goals, it stands to reason the Bolt Arena crowd could be in for a high-scoring affair.