HJK – Molde : Preview & Prediction
HJK, 3rd in the Finnish league behind SJK and KuPS, returned to winning ways in the Veikkausliiga against IIves (1-0) on Saturday, following 3 defeats to Haka (1-1), Honka (1-1) and Lahti (0-1) on July 8 at Helsinki’s Bolt Arena. Korkeakunnas’ colts are back in the Champions League Qualifiers just a few days after a painful defeat by Larne FC of Northern Ireland. Indeed, HJK needed extra time to reach the quarter-finals, and Want scored an own goal in the 96th minute (1-0 and 2-2) at Belfast’s Solitude Stadium. Molde will be playing their first qualifying match for the group phase of this C1 and should be able to book their place in the 1/2-finals after this double-header against the Finnish club. Moe’s players, 3rd in Eliteserien, are on a fine run of form. Unbeaten since June 11, Molde have just won their last 4 matches against Brann (2-0), Sarpsborg 08 (3-1) in the NM Cup quarter-finals, Valerenga (0-4) and Sarpsborg 08 (5-1) this weekend. With 19 goals scored in their last 6 outings, and with Kitolano on fire with 5 goals in his team’s last 3 games, Molde look set to rise to the challenge in Helsinki.
The only direct confrontation came in March 2015, when Molde won that friendly (1-0).
Molde have won 11 of their last 13 matches (1 defeat).
Molde are on a current run of 4 wins in a row in all competitions.
HJK have won just 2 of their last 6 matches.
HJK had a tough time of it against Larne FC (1-0 and 2-2) in the previous round.
HJK – Molde : Betting Tips
Molde – Win Odds: 1.60
