Roma vs HJK Helsinki Match Analysis and Prediction

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Both beaten on the opening day of the Europa League group stage, Roma and HJK Helsinki go head to head at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday looking to get off the mark with a victory.

While Jose Mourinho’s side lost to Ludogorets Razgrad, their visitors suffered a 2-0 defeat to Real Betis, who are now favourites to top Group C.

Mourinho was expecting a continuation of Roma’a continental form from last season, in which they went all the way in the inaugural Europa Conference League and lifted the trophy in Tirana.

However, with the game against Ludogorets still goalless inside the final 20 minutes, Roma imploded for the second time in a matter of days, having just lost 4-0 to Udinese in Serie A.

Ludogorets scored twice past debutant goalkeeper Mile Svilar in the closing stages, with the second coming just moments after Eldor Shomurodov seemed to have salvaged a point with his 86th-minute goal.

In contrast to their prominent hosts’ home record in Europe, HJK Helsinki travel to Italy having faltering in the Finnish capital just last week against Real Betis.

HJK took the long route to reach Group C, where they start as outsiders to qualify for the knockout round as the section’s lowest-ranked team. After securing their 31st domestic title last season, they entered Champions League qualifying in July’s first round.

Having defeated Latvia’s RFS through penalty shootouts, they were eventually eliminated by Viktoria Plzen, but made it past both Maribor and Silkeborg to claim a share of the group stage riches.

Despite not enjoying the best start to their campaign last week, HJK have continued to strengthen their position in the Veikkausliga, and four straight league wins – including against FC Honka on Sunday – saw them finish two points clear at the top ahead of the upcoming playoffs.

Roma vs HJK Helsinki head to head

These two teams have not previously met on any occasion and this will be their first meeting in the Europa League group stages.

Roma latest home form

Roma have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their 12 most recent matches. They managed to defeat Monza 3-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 12 goals and conceded just one.

Roma 2-0 Portimonense 16/07/22

Roma 1-1 Nice 23/07/22

Roma 5-0 Shakhtar Donetsk 07/08/22

Roma 1-0 Cremonese 22/08/22

Roma 3-0 Monza 30/08/22

Roma latest away form

Roma have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just two of their six most recent matches. They managed to defeat Empoli 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded eight.

Salernitana 0-1 Roma 14/08/22

Juventus 1-1 Roma 27/08/22

Udinese 4-0 Roma 04/09/22

Ludogorets 2-1 Roma 08/09/22

Empoli 1-2 Roma 12/09/22

HJK Helsinki latest home form

HJK Helsinki lost 2-0 to Real Betis in their last home game in the Europa League. However, they have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their previous five matches. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded three.

HJK 1-0 Maribor 11/08/22

HJK 1-0 Silkeborg 18/08/22

HJK 1-0 SJK 28/08/22

HJK 2-1 HIFK 05/09/22

HJK 0-2 Real Betis 08/09/22

HJK Helsinki latest away form

HJK Helsinki have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Honka 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded three.

Maribor 0-2 HJK 04/08/22

Oulu 1-1 HJK 07/08/22

Haka 0-3 HJK 21/08/22

Silkeborg 1-1 HJK 25/08/22

Honka 1-2 HJK 11/09/22

Roma news

Wing-backs Nicola Zalewski and Rick Karsdorp have both been sidelined of late due to hip and knee injuries respectively.

They join Stephan El Shaarawy, Marash Kumbulla and Georginio Wijnaldum in the treatment room, but Nicolo Zaniolo is now in contention to feature from the bench after making his return to the sqaud in Empoli.

HJK Helsinki news

HJK still have star striker Roope Riski out of action due to a knee injury, so Malik Abubakari should lead the attack for the visitors.

Captain Miro Tenho will spearhead the back three, which lines up ahead of Northern Ireland international Conor Hazard, who is currently on loan from Celtic.

Prediction and Odds

HJK players have been anticipating their trip to Rome since the draw was first made, but they are set to return empty-handed given the gulf in resources available to both coaches.

While Jose Mourinho could decide to rotate his squad, the hosts are still capable of recording their first Group C win.

Odds: 1 1.88 X 2.05 2 2.22