Club Brugge KV vs Molde prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-13 20:00.
[p]Club Brugge saw their run of five consecutive wins in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) end with a 2-1 defeat in their Round of 16 first leg against Molde last Thursday. After storming through their group (W5, D1), the Belgians failed to take their chances in Norway, with their lone goal coming courtesy of an 85th-minute penalty. Brugge did at least respond with a 3-1 domestic triumph over the weekend against Leuven, but that was just their second victory in six matches (D1, L3), casting doubt over their chances here at Jan Breydel Stadium.Ā [/p]
[p]Taking the tie deeper into penalties could work in their favour, as the capital club have a 4-0 record in UEFA penalty shootouts. That may not be needed at all however, as Brugge are unbeaten across six home UECL games (W4, D2), with all four wins by a 2+ goal margin, something that should they repeat, would be enough for progression.[/p]
[p]Molde are still in pre-season mode, with the Norwegian league set to start in April, which makes their first leg victory even more impressive. It was their third straight win in this competition, raising hopes of reaching a first-ever UEFA quarter-final following their group-phase elimination from the Europa League.Ā [/p]
[p]Concerningly for Molde, they have a poor away record in Belgium, having lost on each of their three such visits and conceded 12 times in the process. One of those defeats came last term against Gent (L 4-0) in the UECL, although two of those goals were let in from the 80th minute onwards. And with the last seven UECL goals on their travels conceded after the break, itās the second-half performance that could perhaps hold the key to Moldeās progression.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Hans Vanaken could impact the match late, having scored Bruggeās last goal of the game with his four UECL strikes this campaign. Moldeās Kristian Eriksen could be similarly influential in the closing stages, as his last three UEFA goals have all come after the 80th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Moldeās last eight European encounters have produced 4.3 goals per game on average.[/p]