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Molde will invite Cercle Brugge to Aker Stadion in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday. The hosts were eliminated from the group stage of the competition last season while the visitors have not qualified for the group stage of a UEFA competition.
The hosts have suffered losses in their last two games and suffered a 3-2 away loss to Silkeborg in the second leg of the second qualifying round last week. They progressed to the third round after recording a 5-4 win on aggregate.
The visitors overcame Kilmarnock 2-1 on aggregate in the second round. They won the second leg 1-0 at home but failed to build on that form and suffered a 2-1 home loss to Kortrijk in the Belgian Pro League on Sunday. Thibo Somers scored in both games.
Molde vs Cercle Brugge Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time.
- The hosts have met Belgian teams eight times in all competitions, recording just two wins. They have suffered four losses and two games have ended in draws.
- The visitors have met a Norwegian team twice, with both meetings coming against Brann in the erstwhile UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They registered a home win and suffered a defeat in the away leg.
- Molde have registered just one win in their last five games in all competitions, suffering three losses.
- Cercle Brugge have just one win in four competitive games this season, scoring three goals while conceding six times.
- The visitors have just one win in their five away games in UEFA competitions, suffering three defeats.
Molde vs Cercle Brugge Prediction
MFK are unbeaten in their last nine home games in Europa League qualifiers, keeping five clean sheets. They have suffered two consecutive losses, conceding four goals while scoring just twice and will look to improve upon that record.
Groen en Zwart have enjoyed a slow start to the 2024-25 season, with just one win in four games, scoring just three goals. They have just one win in their last six away games, failing to score in three, which is a cause for concern.
While there is nothing much to separate the two sides, considering the home advantage for the Norwegian side, the hosts are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Molde 2-1 Cercle Brugge
Molde vs Cercle Brugge Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Molde to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Kristian Eriksen to score or assist any time - Yes
