Motherwell play their first competitive game under new head coach Alfred Johansson when they take on HB in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie in the Conference League on Thursday.
The Swede replaced Dane Jens Berthel Askou, who guided the Steelmen to fourth in his only season in charge of the Scottish Premiership club before being offered the opportunity to take over Ligue 1 side Toulouse.
This is the second time Motherwell have played in the Conference League, after crashing out 3-0 on aggregate to Sligo Rovers at this stage in 2022/23.
Thursday's visitors, HB, have played in all five previous editions of this tournament, most recently losing 2-1 to Brondby last season.
The winner will go on to face either HJK Helsinki of Finland or Northern Ireland's Coleraine in the third qualifying round.
Motherwell v HB Tips Summary
Best Bet - Motherwell and under 3.5 goals @ 13/10
Alternative Bet - Motherwell to win 2-0 @ 9/2
Bet Builder - Goal range 1-3 goals, Most Goals in 2nd Half, Both teams to score - No and HT: Motherwell - FT: Motherwell @ 12/1
Motherwell v HB Prediction
Best Bet: Motherwell and under 3.5 goals @ 13/10
In addition to losing their manager, Motherwell have seen several key players leave, with Elijah Just also expected to depart amid heavy interest from Swansea City.
Just scored in Friday's 4-3 friendly defeat to Genk, which came on the back of a 4-0 loss to Aarhus.
Despite those reverses, Motherwell are still expected to win on Thursday against a HB team who finished second in the Faroe Islands Premier League in 2025 but are fifth in this season's standings.
However, the turnover in players and staff for the hosts means they may take a while to find their rhythm in their first competitive game of the season.
They are backed to take a lead into next Thursday's second leg in Torshavn, although it may not be entirely comfortable.
Alternative Bet: Motherwell to win 2-0 @ 9/2
Only Hearts boasted a better defensive record than Motherwell in last season's Premiership and the Steelmen developed a canny knack for winning 2-0 at their Fir Park home.
That was a correct score in seven of Motherwell's home games in 2025/26, with the likes of Celtic, Hibernian and Aberdeen (twice) all falling by that scoreline.
HB have failed to score in five of their last six European games, losing their last three continental away days to nil, and that run includes a 2-0 loss at Hajduk Split at this stage of Conference League qualifying in 2024/25.
It may not be a classic, but Motherwell have the tools and know-how to claim a 2-0 first-leg advantage.
Motherwell v HB Bet Builder Tip
Goal range 1-3 goals
Most Goals in 2nd Half
Both teams to score - No
HT: Motherwell - FT: Motherwell
Pays 12/1
With a home win and under 3.5 goals the tip, it makes sense to start this treble with a Total Goals range of between one and three.
There have also been more goals in the second halves of both of Motherwell's pre-season games and that is worth backing again considering they may struggle to find early rhythm.
That said, HB have failed to score in their last three European away matches, so a 'no' in both teams to score also appeals, which adds to the possibility of Motherwell winning both halves.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Motherwell finished fourth in the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership
HB were runners-up in the 2025 Faroe Islands Premier League and are fifth in the 2026 table
Motherwell previously lost in the second qualifying round of the 2022/23 Conference League
HB have featured in every edition of the Conference League but have never made it past the second qualifying round
Motherwell won the pair's previous meeting in the 1994/95 UEFA Cup 7-1 on aggregate
There have been more goals in the second half of both of Motherwell's pre-season fixtures
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
