Arda vs HJK Prediction & Betting Tips (24 July)

The quarter -finals of the qualifying phase for the conference League continue this Thursday evening with a meeting between the Bulgarian team from Arda and the Finnish of the HJK. Arriving 4th in the championship last season, Arda was promoted for this qualifying phase and does not seem in its place. Indeed, thanks to a rather correct season, this team will taste Europe but shows real difficulties on the last games. In the championship, they did not win the slightest match on the last 6 day of the past season 5 draws and 1 defeat, they won only 2 games on the 5 pre-season preparatory friendly games and lost their first match against CSKA Sofia. In this context, difficult to imagine Arda producing a good performance against a HJK team accustomed to Europe.

Indeed, HJK has been playing European cuts since the 2000s and its best performance took place in 2022-2023 where this team was able to reach the Europa League group phase. Last year, thanks to a favorable draw and a draft in the 1st qualifying round in the Champions League, HJK was able to reach the phases of conference league groups but its journey was stopped in pools. For this first round and an uncertain trip, HJK will have the goal of not losing to ensure a more confident return match.

Sometimes the scoreboard doesn’t tell the full story, but in HJK’s recent run of results, it's difficult to ignore the pattern. With repeated heavy losses—especially the two identical 4–0 defeats to NSI Runavik and a 3–0 setback against KuPS—the Finnish side has struggled to contain attacking threats and maintain defensive shape. While their 2–0 wins over VPS offer glimpses of discipline and control, the frequent concessions underline deeper vulnerabilities in their backline and midfield transitions. This inconsistency raises questions about form, morale, and structural adjustments required to handle teams with varied playing styles.

In contrast, Arda approaches the matchup with a steadier rhythm, buoyed by a squad that combines physical resilience and technical sharpness. Though this analysis doesn’t draw on Arda’s recent matches, their current team composition—with energetic players across all lines—presents a stern test for HJK. The Bulgarian side's likely advantage lies in exploiting HJK’s shaky defensive record, especially if they press high and force mistakes early. While HJK is capable of sudden flashes of brilliance, Arda seems poised to dictate the tempo and capitalize on the gaps that continue to haunt their opponents.

A narrow margin often speaks volumes, and for the upcoming clash between Arda and HJK on July 24th, a 1–0 scoreline in favor of the home side feels like the most fitting outcome. Arda’s defensive discipline at Arena Arda, paired with HJK’s recent inconsistencies on the road, sets the stage for a tightly contested match where a single moment of precision could decide the result. With Arda likely to capitalize on their home advantage and HJK struggling to convert chances away from Helsinki, a solitary goal might be all it takes to tilt the balance.

• Summary: Arda Kardzhali is going head to head with HJK starting on 24 Jul 2025 at 16:00 UTC at Arena Arda stadium, Kardzhali city, Bulgaria. The match is a part of the UEFA Conference League, Qualification .
• Referee: Bulat Sariyev