• Competition: Conference League
• Date: 8th August 2024
• Kick-off: 17:00 UTC +1 / 18:00 CEST
• Venue: Tammelan Stadion

Ilves will be looking to continue their recent impressive form at home when they host Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League second qualifying round tie on Thursday night.

The hosts are competing in the Conference League for the first time in their history. Joonas Rantanen's side started the first qualifying round with a 2-1 home win over Austrian side Vien but things didn't go the same way in the second leg as they lost 4-3. A penalty shootout win earned the Tampereen a place in the second round and they will be looking to make the most of that opportunity.

Djurgarden meanwhile are making their third appearance in the Conference League. They reached the last 16 in their first appearance two years ago, but weren't able to repeat the feat last year when they were eliminated by Lucerne in the second qualifying rounds. Things are looking a little better this season, however, after they beat Progres 3-1 on aggregate in the second round.

Ilves vs Djurgarden Betting Tips: Over 2.5 goals

Clean sheets have been very rare for IIves in recent months. The Finnish side boast just one clean sheet from their last nine matches and shipped at least two goals in all two European matches played in that spell.

Djurgarden don't also have a defence they can rely on. The visitors conceded averagely a goal per game in their last ten fixtures and failed to keep a clean sheet in all the away games played in that spell.

And with Djurgarden defensive record in the qualifying rounds of the Conference League not also good, anything other than over 2.5 goals in this game will be a surprise.

• Best Tip: Over 2.5 goals
• Ilves vs Djurgarden prediction: 2-2