Kalju vs Linfield Preview
Kalju and Linfield are out of form and both sides concede a lot of goals. A high-scoring Conference League Qualifier is likely between these leaky teams.
Key Stats - Plenty of Recent Goals
- Kalju have seen BTTS in their last 6 games.
- Linfield have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 consecutive matches.
- Linfield have seen BTTS in their last 3 games.
H2H
This will be the first-ever meeting between Kalju and Linfield.
Kalju Score and Concede a Lot
Kalju have struggled for momentum in the Meistriliiga recently, winning just one of their last six games. They have scored in all six games and have conceded nine goals.
The Estonian side were winless in five consecutive matches, including two defeats. Kalju lost 2-1 at home against Tammeka and had back-to-back 1-1 draws with Levadia and Paide.
The Pink Panthers ended that winless streak with a 3-1 away victory over Nomme Utd on Friday. Tiago Baptista, Oleksandr Musolitin and Mihhail Orlov scored in the first half and Kalju had eight shots on target.
Linfield Struggle to Keep the Goals Out
Northern Irish side Linfield were out of form towards the end of the 2025/26 campaign. David Healy’s outfit were winless in five of their final seven matches and conceded 12 goals.
Linfield lost three games in a row against Larne 2-0, Coleraine 3-0 and Cliftonville 2-1. The Blues hit back and ended last season with a 3-1 triumph against Dungannon, attempting nine shots on target.
Healy's team lost their only pre-season friendly 3-2 against Kilmarnock on Saturday. Linfield trailed 2-0 after just 14 minutes and Ryan Nolan and Sean Brown scored consolation goals either side of half time.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Kalju (4-2-3-1): Henri Perk; Aleksandr Nikolajev, Maksim Podholjuzin, Modou Tambedou, Danyl Mashchenko; Rommi Siht, Bogdan Vukusic; Tiago Baptista, Oleksandr Musolitin, Enrique Esono; Ibrahim Jabir, Mihhail Orlov
Striker Mattias Mannilaan is ruled out due to a knee injury.
Linfield (4-2-3-1): Chris Johns; Ethan McGee, Ryan Nolan, Darragh Leahy, Dane McCullough; Chris Shields, Jamie Mulgrew; Kirk Millar, Kyle McClean, Adam Frizzell; Matt Fitzpatrick
Midfielder Jamie Mulgrew missed the Kilmarnock game but is expected to return against Kalju.