Hacken – Molde : Preview & Prediction
Häcken have lived up to their status as the lowest-ranked team in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) by losing all three of their group stage matches, so they need something against Molde to maintain any hope of staying alive. Beaten 5-1 by their Norwegian opponents on matchday three, they are also struggling in the Allsvenskan to qualify for Europe next season, and Sunday’s 4-2 league win over Malmö gave them a much-needed boost.
The “Wasps” have been buffeted by their first European group stage experience, highlighted by the fact that prior to their 1-0 loss to Qarabağ on matchday two, they were unbeaten in five European qualifiers at home (G3, E2). Consecutive league wins at home in which they scored four times show that they have goals, but so far they have failed to achieve something similar in continental competition.
Molde could be disappointed with third place in the group at the halfway stage (G1, P2), and will consider it essential to win their two matches against Häcken if they want to reach the round of 16 for the second time in two UEL appearances. They have the opposite problem to their hosts, as their league performance at the end of the season has been poor – that win in their previous meeting with each other is the only one in their last six official matches (P5).
Now that European qualification through the league is out of the question, Erling Moe’s side can concentrate fully on UEL, knowing that a win here would all but secure a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League next year. Disturbingly, however, they have lost each of their last five European away games, albeit by a one-goal margin on four occasions, and have won just one continental match in Sweden (P2).
Players to watch: Edward Chilufya has scored in each of Häcken’s last three home wins, opening the scoring twice, including against Malmö on Sunday. Emil Breivik scored between the 20th and 30th minutes in two of Molde’s last three games, including against Häcken in October.
Key stat: Six of Häcken’s seven UEL matches this season produced more than 3.5 total goals (G3, E1, P3).
Hacken – Molde : Betting Tips
Hacken – Win Odds: 2.25
