Bangor City face a tough task at the start of their maiden Champions League campaign, but having eliminated Honka from last year’s Europa League, the Welshmen have something to hope for. Helsinki have been relentless on domestic stage this season and they look like hot favourites to win this tie.

Bangor City hoping for a miracle

Bangor City have been on the constant rise over the last few years and they took part in Europa League qualifying stages in the last two campaigns. Interestingly enough, the Welsh side faced Finnish team Honka both times, losing 3:0 on aggregate in 2009 before winning 3:2 on aggregate last season. However, they were later stopped by Maritimo, having lost 2:1 at home and 8:2 away. In spite of the disappointing exit from last year’s Europa League, Bangor City produced quite a coup by winning the Welsh Premier League, which ensured them historic qualification for Champions League qualifying stages. Bangor City are now hoping to produce a major surprise and beat Helsinki, but that is certainly easier said than done. The club management have reinforced the squad with keeper Lee Idzi and striker Kyle Wilson, but the team still lack the quality needed to match a side like HJK.

The game will be played at Belle Vue Stadium in Rhyl, as Bangor’s own ground is not suitable for Champions League matches.

Can HJK finally make it to group stages?

Arguably the biggest Finnish club ever endured a difficult spell from 2004 to 2008, having gone five years without a league title, but HJK won the long awaited title in 2009 as well as in 2010. Having already created a ten-point cushion at the top of Veikkausliiga standings this season, Helsinki look destined for third successive league title, and it is the great performances on domestic stage that are considered a major boost before the start of their European campaign. HJK are determined to finally make it to the Champions League group stage and that looks possible if only the team continue their rich vein of form. HJK are currently on a ten-match winning run, during which they scored 38 goals and conceded just 7, so it goes without saying that the Finns enter this match brimming on confidence.

Coach Antti Muurinen is hoping to have veteran midfielders Jari Litmanen and Aki Riihilahti available, in which case he would have full squad to choose from.

Verdict

Bangor City are very inexperienced when it comes to European competitions, while it is more than clear they lack the quality to match a side like Helsinki. HJK are flying high at the moment, having won ten straight games against teams much stronger than Bangor City, so I expect the Finns to record a comfortable win in Rhyl.

Our prediction: Helsinki with -1 European handicap

Odds: 2.50 (3/2)

Bookmaker: Paddy Power