HJK Helsinki vs Motherwell: UEFA Conference League third qualifying round

The Steelmen face another tough away day, this time to the Finnish capital, to face off against HJK.

This is Motherwell’s third successive away fixture. After an impressive victory at Hibernian, the squad travelled on Tuesday to prepare for a first competitive European trip to Helsinki. There is little time to reset: the first home league game of the season, at Fir Park, follows three days after this one.

Five goals and two clean sheets saw off Havnar Bóltfelag, but the second leg was closer than 3–0 suggests: Motherwell were narrowly out-created on chance quality in the Faroes, 2.13 expected goals to 2.11, and Alex Paulsen made four saves to keep the sheet clean. Against HJK, a night of being out-created is unlikely to end so comfortably.

Match appointment

Match officials

Czechia

Referee

Dalibor Černý

Assistant referee

Jan Paták

Assistant referee

Marek Malimánek

Fourth official

Stanislav Volek

Video assistant referee

Tomáš Kocourek

Assistant VAR

Jana Adámková

UEFA referee observer

Michális Argyroú (Cyprus)

UEFA delegate

George Fantaros (Cyprus)

VAR is in operation for this tie.

European pedigree Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi, better known as HJK, are considered Finland’s biggest club. They are certainly their most successful in the league, having been crowned champions 33 times. Throw in 14 Finnish Cups and six Finnish League Cups, and you have success built into the