Conference League
2026-08-13 - Motherwell vs HJK Helsinki
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Conference League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg
Thursday 13th August 2026 - Kick Off 7:30pm
Motherwell
Aside from the 2020/21 season when UEFA Qualifiers were played in a one-Legged format, Motherwell have only managed to win consecutive ties in European Football twice. Those occasions came in back to back seasons in 2009/10 and 2010/11, but the 1-1 draw in the Finnish capital last week puts Motherwell in a position to do that again in 2026/27.
Getting into the League Phase of the Conference League remains the aim for new manager Alfred Johansson, but the draw for the Play Off Round was made and has last year's Europa League Runners Up, Freiburg, waiting for the winner of this tie. The manager and the Motherwell squad cannot think too far ahead though and have to make sure they do what they need to do in the Second Leg on Thursday and that is progressing past HJK Helsinki.
Motherwell are unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions, but they began this season with 3 straight wins under Alfred Johansson before setting for draws with HJK Helsinki and Falkirk. They beat HB at home in the Second Qualifying Round, but that is the only win at Fir Park in 6 games in all competitions.
HJK Helsinki
Two seasons ago, HJK Helsinki made it through two Qualifying Rounds to earn a spot in the Conference League Group Stage, but they have to negotiate some tough matches if they are going to do the same this season. Last year the European run ended in the Second Qualifying Round of this competition and HJK Helsinki have already surpassed that run when beating Coleraine in the last Round.
The 1-1 home draw in this Third Qualifying Round First Leg has put HJK Helsinki in a difficult spot, but not one that is impossible to overturn. One of the problems in recent years at this level has been the away form and HJK Helsinki had not won any of 19 UEFA fixtures on their travels until beating Coleraine 0-3 earlier this month.
HJK Helsinki beat AC Oulu last time out and they have won 6 of the last 8 games in all competitions, whilst also snapping a run of consecutive games without a victory. The European away form may be a little sketchy, but HJK Helsinki have won 5 of the last 7 games played on their travels in all competitions.
Head to Head
This is the first time Motherwell are hosting HJK Helsinki in a competitive fixture.
Prediction
Consecutive draws may have slowed the early season momentum Motherwell have under a new manager, but the performances have remained encouraging.
Playing in the same manner week after week will end up with a lot more positive results than negative ones, or perceived negative ones, and Motherwell can continue to build in a good direction.
The 1-1 draw in Helsinki gives them the edge over HJK, but Motherwell will not want to underestimate an opponent that have already won in the United Kingdom once this season.
That was against an overmatched Coleraine team, but Motherwell will have to remain focused and will also want to display more composure in the final third than they did in the goalless draw with Falkirk on Sunday.
If they can create the same threat in the final third, Motherwell should be able to do that and set up a big Play Off tie against Freiburg beginning next week.
The Pick :
Motherwell 2-0 HJK Helsinki
