Preview: Silkeborg vs. HJK Helsinki - prediction, team news, lineups

The Danish outfit have won their last four home games across all competitions and will look to keep the juggernaut rolling as they attempt to overturn their first-leg deficit.

Match preview

Silkeborg picked up a much-needed morale boost ahead of Thursday's comeback attempt as they beat Nordsjaelland 2-0 away from home in the Danish Superliga on Sunday.

Tonni Adamsen turned in a superb first-half performance at the Right to Dream Park as he struck twice inside their opening quarter of an hour to hand the visitors all three points.

Kent Nielsen's men, who have picked up four wins and one draw from their opening six league games to sit top of the Superliga table, now turn their attention to the Europa League qualifiers where they suffered a 1-0 against HJK Helsinki last Thursday.

In a game where Andre Calisir received his marching orders, 26-year-old forward David Browne made the difference at the Sonera Stadium as his 80th-minute strike was enough to separate the sides.

However, Silkeborg will fancy their chances of turning things around on Thursday as they head into the game on a run of six wins from their last seven home games, including each of their last two since the start of July.

Elsewhere, HJK Helsinki marched on in their race for the Finish Veikkausliiga title as they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory against FC Haka at the Tehtaan Kentta Stadium on Sunday.

First-half goals from Anthony Olusanya, Bojan Radulovic and Aapo Halme saw the Klubi claim a fourth victory in five league games and move level on points with KuPS and Honka at the top of the table.

Toni Koskela's side now turn their attention to the Europa League qualifiers, where they are now just 90 minutes away from securing a place in the group stages after last week's first-leg victory.

HJK head into Thursday on a run of three consecutive victories across all competitions, while they are unbeaten in their last six outings, claiming five wins and one draw since July's 5-0 loss against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League qualifiers.

Silkeborg Europa League form:

Silkeborg form (all competitions):

HJK Helsinki Europa League form:

HJK Helsinki form (all competitions):

Team News

Calisir picked up a straight red in the first-leg and the veteran defender is out of contention for Thursday's clash, with Joel Felix potentially taking up his spot in the XI.

On the injury front, Silkeborg will take to the pitch without the services of Oscar Fuglsang, who has been out of action since coming off injured in June's game against Copenhagen.

The duo of Gustav Dahl and Alexander Lind will play no part in the midweek clash as they are yet to feature for the Danish outfit this year as they battle long-term injuries.

Andreas Oggesen returned from a two-game injury layoff as he made a 14-minute cameo at the weekend and the 28-year-old midfielder should be involved in the matchday squad on Thursday.

As for HJK Helsinki, Koskela will have to make do with the absence of Austrian midfielder Manuel Martic, who came off with a leg injury in the game against Rigas Futbola Skola back in July.

The Finnish duo of Roope Riski and defender Valtteri Moren are out of contention for the visiting side as they continue their road to full fitness after both suffered long-term knee injuries.

Silkeborg possible starting lineup:

Larsen; Sonne, Salquist, Felix, Engel; Pordarson, Brink, Klynge; Jorgensen, Vallys, Helenius

HJK Helsinki possible starting lineup:

Hazard; Tenho, Hoskonen, Raitala; Browne, Tanaka, Vaananen, Lingman, Murillo; Hostikka, Abubakari

We say: Silkeborg 1-1 HJK Helsinki (HJK Helsinki to win 2-1 on aggregate)

Silkeborg and HJK are evenly-matched heading into Thursday and we expect a close contest that should be decided by fine margins. While Silkeborg are slight favourites to come out on top — given their home advantage — we predict that the visitors will hold out for a share of the spoils and claim an aggregate victory.

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