Rigas Futbola Skola and HJK meet in the second leg of their Champions League Qualifiers round one tie at Stadions Arkadija on Tuesday evening.
HJK head into the second leg with an advantage as they claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg at home last week. The lonely Manuel Martic’s goal puts the visitors in a strong position to reach the second round of the qualifiers, and all they need is a draw.
HJK have been doing well in their domestic league season with the side picking 27 points from 14 matches so far, and sit second in the table three points behind KuPS. They will be looking to spice their league run with an impressive run in Champions League qualifiers, this time looking to through to the group stages.
Toni Koskela’s side were eliminated in the second round last season by Malmo but will hope for different fortune this time around. The Finnish outfit have not played since the first leg so they should be in good shape for the second leg with Rigas.
Rigas, meanwhile have a huge task to advance to the next stage as they head into the match with the 1-0 deficit. Rigas who have never played in the Champions League group stage ever before will be desperate for a miracle on Tuesday to make it to the next round.
RFS responded well to their first leg defeat as they claimed a 4-0 victory over Spartaks Jurmala in the Latvian Cup on Saturday and they will be looking to build on the win, but will need to be very alert as they come up against a side that is well rested.
Rigas Futbola vs HJK head to head
Both have now met in 3 encounters since 2020 with HJK wining two, while Rigas Futbola have won once.
- HJK 1-0 Rigas Futbola 06/07/22
- HJK 0-2 Rigas Futbola 29/01/22
- HJK 2-1 Rigas Futbola 18/01/20
Home
- Rigas Futbola 4-0 Spartaks
- HJK 1-0 Rigas Futbola
- Rigas Futbola 4-0 Daugavpils
- Spartaks 0-2 Rigas Futbola
- Valmeira 4-0 Rigas Futbola
Away
- HJK 1-0 Rigas Futbola
- HJK 1-1 KuPS
- Turku 5-4 HJK (AP)
- Mariehamn 2-1 HJK
- HJK 0-1 Oulu
Rigas Futbola team news
Rigas Futbola have no fresh injury reports and we expect them to field majority of the XI that played in the first leg.
HJK team news
HJK have not been in action since the first leg and have no fresh fitness issues ahead of the second leg.
Prediction and odds
- HJK win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
