In an thrilling Europa League third qualifying spherical conflict, Norwegian membership Molde will host Belgian aspect Cercle Brugge on the Aker Stadion on Thursday night.
This match marks the first-ever encounter between the 2 groups, each wanting to progress to the principle stage of the newly-expanded 2024-25 Europa League.
Molde: Workforce Information and Kind
Molde, ending fifth within the 2023 Eliteserien, secured their Europa League spot by profitable the Norwegian Cup for the sixth time.
Within the second qualifying spherical, they triumphed over Danish aspect Silkeborg with a 5-4 mixture victory.
Regardless of their continental success, Molde’s home kind has been disappointing, incomes only one level from their final three league video games and at the moment sitting fourth within the desk.
Key Gamers and Accidents
Molde will likely be with out Fredrik Gulbrandsen, Veton Berisha, and Johan Bakke on account of accidents.
Kristoffer Haugen, who missed the second-leg conflict with Silkeborg, stays a doubt.
The workforce will rely closely on Kristian Eriksen and Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who’ve each scored eight objectives within the Eliteserien this season.
Cercle Brugge: Workforce Information and Kind
Cercle Brugge is making solely their second look within the Europa League qualifiers after ending fourth within the Belgian Professional League Champions’ Playoffs final season.
They narrowly edged previous Kilmarnock 2-1 on mixture within the second qualifying spherical.
Nonetheless, their begin to the brand new home season has been rocky, with consecutive defeats to Westerlo and Kortrijk.
Key Gamers and Accidents
Cercle Brugge will miss summer season signing Ibrahim Diakite, who’s nursing a thigh harm, and Nils De Wilde with a hamstring problem.
Captain Thibo Somers, who scored in his final two video games, is predicted to guide the assault alongside Abdoul Kader Ouattara and Kazeem Olaigbe.
Prediction
Each groups have had their struggles on the home entrance, suggesting a intently contested match.
Molde, with residence benefit, may maintain a slight edge, however Cercle Brugge’s resilience cannot be underestimated.
Our Prediction: Molde 1-1 Cercle Brugge
For the entire evaluation of Molde vs Cercle Brugge because it occurs reside, take a look at our Reside Replace web page for the sport.
