Gent vs Molde prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-23 16:45.
[p]Frustrated manager Wouter Vrancken has warned his Gent side that they have to make “better choices” if they are to end a disappointing run of form. The Belgian side have only won one of their last five outings (D2, L2) after a 0-0 draw with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise at the weekend, while they started the league phase of the UEFA Conference League with a 4-2 defeat against Chelsea.[/p]
[p]The Buffalos have progressed to the Conference League knockout stages in three successive seasons, and will therefore be hoping to bounce back against Molde, so it bodes well that they have only suffered one defeat on home soil this season across all competitions (W6, D1). Their record in European matches at The Planet Group Arena is outstanding too, last losing here in continental competition over two years ago (W11, D3).[/p]
[p]That might well strike fear into their visitors, who have lost on their five previous trips to Belgium, including a 4-0 drubbing when these sides met in 2022. The Norwegians also suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to struggling Sandefjord in the league at the weekend, so supporters may be forgiven for being a little fearful of this clash.[/p]
[p]Erling Moe’s side can however draw confidence from the fact that they were unbeaten in six games prior to that loss (W5, D1), including kicking off their Conference League proper campaign by beating Larne 3-0. A second successive win in this competition would therefore go some way to helping Molde reach the knockout stages of a European tournament for only the fourth time in their history.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Gent forward Omri Gandelman is a Conference League specialist, scoring six goals in his last 11 appearances in the competition, including four in five games this season. Battling him for supremacy could be Molde’s Kristian Eriksen, who has netted first or last in seven of his last eight goalscoring appearances.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Eight of the last nine goals Gent have conceded have come after half-time.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]