Champions League
2018-07-25 - BATE Borisov vs HJK Helsinki
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: Champions League Second Qualifying Round First Leg
Wednesday 25th July 2018 - Kick Off British Time 6pm
Preview
With 26 of the 32 Champions League Group Stage places already decided, the new Qualifying system is a long road for teams who wish to make up one of the remaining six places. The Champions Route does offer BATE Borisov and HJK Helsinki a slightly more manageable path through to the Group Stage with four of the six remaining places offered to those sides, but there are plenty of big challenges in front of them.
Neither team can really afford to look beyond this Second Qualifying Round tie especially as the draw for the Third Round has been a kind one for the winner. In all honesty it would be a big surprise if HJK Helsinki are able to get the better of BATE Borisov with the latter a regular name in the Champions League Group Stage from recent seasons.
Unlike some of the other teams playing in the Qualifiers, both BATE Borisov and HJK Helsinki are plenty of their way into their domestic League campaigns which would have been played alongside the World Cup. Confidence shouldn't be an issue with both teams leading the way domestically while HJK Helsinki were able to beat Vikingur in the First Qualifying Round of the Champions League.
That win will help HJK Helsinki play with some confidence having won both Legs, but the step up in class won't be lost on them. Last season HJK Helsinki struggled away from home in the Europa League with losses at Connah's Quay and Shkendija, but recent years have seen HJK Helsinki produce a number of away wins in European competition which has to focus their opponents.
HJK Helsinki have only lost 1 of their last 11 away games in all competitions and they have won 7 of those which will further their confidence. However the majority of those matches would have come against teams not quite as strong as BATE Borisov which is the challenge for the Finnish Champions to face.
Once again BATE Borisov are Champions of Belarus and they received a bye through to the Second Qualifying Round of the Champions League. They are unbeaten in 8 games in all competitions overall and BATE Borisov have won 3 of their last 4 at home.
BATE Borisov have managed to get into the Champions League and Europa League Group Stage in recent seasons and much of that is down to a strong home record which has seen them lose 1 of their last 9 home European ties. Playing at this kind of level has suited them more than most and BATE Borisov have won 3 of their last 4 home Champions League games in the Qualifiers which puts them in a good position to have a lead to take to the Finnish capital next week.
Prediction
These teams have not faced one another before and so there will be a feeling out process between BATE Borisov and HJK Helsinki.
However you have to give BATE Borisov the narrow advantage in the tie and the key to that will be winning the First Leg at home on Wednesday. They look like they are good enough to do that, although HJK Helsinki can play their part even in the step up in quality of opponent they are dealing with.
Goals could come with both teams well into their domestic seasons and backing BATE Borisov to win a game featuring at least two goals looks a decent price.
The Pick :
BATE Borisov 2-1 HJK Helsinki
