Prediction: Molde vs Elfsborg

Prediction: Molde to win 2-1

Best Odds: 11/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

Molde and Elfsborg will face each other in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League at Molde Stadion in Molde this week. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5m UK time on Thursday.

Molde

Molde are one of the biggest clubs in Norway and have played in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League before. They have won the domestic league in Norway as many as four times and have been runners-up on 10 occasions. Molde have clinched the Norwegian Cup on five occasions as well.

Erling Moe’s side finished the 2021 Eliteserien campaign in second place with 60 points from 30 matches, just three points behind winners Bodø/Glimt. That has allowed them to enter the 2022-23 UEFA Europa Conference League at the second qualifying round stage.

Molde are doing well in the 2022 Eliteserien campaign and find themselves at the top of the league table at the moment with 33 points from 15 matches, level on points with second-paced Lillestrøm.

Team News:

Jacob Karlstrøm and Benjamin Hansen are likely to start for Molde

Elfsborg

Elfsborg are one of the biggest clubs in Sweden and are based in Boras. The Yellow Ones have played the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. They have won the Swedish championship as many as six times in their history, although their latest title success came back in 2012. Elfsborg have also clinched the Swedish Cp on three occasions and the UEFA Intertoto Cup twice – first in 1980 and then in 2008.

The Elegants finished fourth in the 2021 Allsvenskan league table with 55 points from 30 matches and qualified for the UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round. They are ninth in the 2022 Allsvenskan league table at the moment with 20 points from 14 matches.

Team News:

Tim Ronning, Gustav Henriksson and  Simon Olsson all are available for Elfsborg.

Key Factors to Consider

• Molde and Elfsborg have not faced each other before.
• Molde are unbeaten in 14 consecutive games across all competitions.
• Molde have picked up 12 wins and two draws in their last 14 competitive matches.
• Elfsborg have failed to taste victory in their last three outings.
• Molde have won six of their last seven home matches.

Conclusion

Molde are at home and will have the advantage heading into the match on Thursday evening. However, the Norwegian side will also be under pressure to get a result because they cannot rely on a win in the second leg in Sweden to get through. A narrow in for Molde is the most likely result in this game.

Prediction: Molde to win 2-1

Best Odds: 11/2

Bookmaker: Betfair