Champions League Preview: Malmö Unbeaten at Home, Klaksvík European Away Strugglers

On the morning of July 24 at 1 a.m., the first leg of the second round of Champions League qualifiers will see Swedish team Malmö host Faroe Islands team Klaksvík at the Eleda Stadium.

Malmö currently ranks 110th in UEFA’s club coefficient rankings. Their last successful qualification for the Champions League group stage was in the 2021-22 season, where they eliminated teams from Latvia, Finland, Scotland, and Bulgaria along the way. In the 2022-23 season, they were knocked out in the second round of the qualifiers.

Klaksvík is ranked 129th and has been a regular participant in European competitions since 2017, with annual appearances in qualifiers (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League). They have competed in the Champions League qualifiers for three consecutive seasons since the 2022-23 season but have failed to reach the group stage. Last season, they were eliminated by Molde of Norway in the third round of qualifying and had to play in the Conference League instead.

In terms of form, Malmö has won six, drawn two, and lost one of their nine league matches since May, scoring 24 goals and conceding 11. In their last match, they beat Sirius 4-3, suggesting a tendency towards strong attacking play but weaker defense. Malmö’s home form is impressive; since August 2023, they have played 18 home games, winning 14 and drawing four (friendlies not included).

Klaksvík has won seven, drawn one, and lost two of their 11 matches since May, scoring 19 goals and conceding 10. In the first round of Champions League qualifiers, they defeated Luxembourg minnows Differdange 2-0 at home and drew 0-0 away. The team’s performance on the European stage differs significantly between home and away fixtures; since July 2022, they have played 16 European matches (including qualifiers), winning one, drawing two, and losing six in away games—a defeat rate of 66.7%. At home, they have won four, drawn two, and lost one, with a defeat rate of only 14.3%.

The teams have never faced each other directly. Malmö has met Faroe Islands teams twice in history, recording one win and one draw, scoring three goals and conceding one. Klaksvík has encountered Swedish teams twice in recent European qualifying rounds; in the 2017-18 Europa League qualifiers, they drew 0-0 at home and lost 0-5 away against AIK; in last season’s Champions League qualifiers, they drew 0-0 at home and 3-3 away against Helsingborg, advancing after winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

European media have highlighted key players. For Malmö, there are two players of note: number 9 forward Trin, a Swedish forward of Congolese descent who is the team’s top scorer, and number 11 attacking midfielder Nanasi, a Swedish international who is the team’s third-highest scorer and top assister. For Klaksvík, the key player is number 9, 34-year-old veteran center-forward Klaestad, who is the team’s top scorer. Additionally, right winger number 7, 32-year-old Frederiksberg, is the team’s second-highest scorer and top assister.

>>More predictions and betting tips for this match can be found here>>>