Molde vs Legia prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-02-14 17:45.
Despite picking up seven points in their UEFA Europa League group, Molde finished in third place and had to drop down into the UEFA Conference League (UECL) knockout phase for the very first time. Getting themselves up for this one will be a challenge given that this is Molde’s first game since their domestic season ended with an NMC Cup triumph back in December, and they have no other competitive duties until April 1st apart from his two-legged tie.
The Norwegian footballing calendar may go some way to explaining Molde’s return of only two springtime European knockout victories, the first of which came 20 years ago in 2003/04. Building on that here is by no means a given as both prior clashes against Polish counterparts Legia Warsaw ended level, whilst Molde have failed to win six of their last ten European home outings (W4, D2, L4).
Not quite in their off-season, Legia returned to domestic duties after a long winter break with a 1-0 Ekstraklasa victory over Ruch Chorzów to keep them in touch with the race for Europe. They’ll hope that game has shaken off any potential ring rust ahead of this gruelling trip, as they look to build on a run of just one defeat across their last seven matches within 90 minutes (W4, D2).
Legia have a long history against Norwegian opponents (W5, D5, L2), though only one of those victories came away (D3, L2). Even so, that sole victory on Norwegian shores did come in their most recent trip to Bodø/Glimt in 2020/21 Champions League qualifying. The confidence gained from that is limited though, as Legia have lost 13 of their last 15 European road trips from the group stage onwards (W2).
Players to watch: With Molde’s three joint-top league scorers of 2023 either injured or departed, Kristian Eriksen could step up after seeing six of his last seven goals come in European action, including four this season. Another man with four European goals to his name in 2023/24 is Legia’s Tomáš Pekhart, but only one of those goals proved decisive in victory.
Hot stat: Four of Legia’s last six UECL matches were draws at half-time, but none of those four games ended level (W2, L2).