Molde – Club Brugge KV : Preview & Prediction
Playing in only their second round of 16 tie in European competition, Molde will be looking for a positive start in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) tie against Club Brugge. After finishing third in their group in this year’s Europa League, the Norwegian side have already progressed past one UECL knockout round play-off, but with their domestic commitments ending in December, on-field action remains sparse having played just six matches in this calendar year (G4, E1, P1).
The hosts at least ended their domestic season on a high by winning the Norwegian Cup in December, and with an unbeaten home record against Belgian sides (G1, E2), they should feel a positive first leg clash awaits despite both draws in that span being goalless. However, another dull encounter here seems unlikely as Molde have averaged more than two goals per engagement in their last nine home games in European competition.
Brugge qualified for this round automatically after topping UECL Group D with an undefeated record (G5, E1). Having spent each of their last five seasons in the Champions League group stage, the visitors have plenty of continental experience, and also possess the advantage of playing official soccer at the moment, although a single win in four recent matches (E1, P2) is not an impressive record.
The visitors do not have a great record in that capacity against Norwegian clubs (G2, E2, P2), but at least they have been formidable in this competition lately. Brugge have won their last five away games in the UECL in style, having scored 16 goals in those clashes, three of them by at least two-goal margins.
Players to watch: Fredrik Gulbrandsen could look to score early for Molde, having scored five of his last six goals in UEFA competitions before the 20-minute mark. Andreas Skov Olsen scored Brugge’s last goal in competitive action in the 3-0 home win over Genk and tends to have an impact later in the match, with his last four goals on the continental stage being registered in the second half.
Key stat: Ten of Brugge’s last 14 away goals in the UECL have been registered during the second half of the match.
Molde – Club Brugge KV : Betting Tips
Molde – Win Odds: 2.25
