Molde vs Gent prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 19:00.
Having previously hosted Belgian opposition twice (W1, D1) without conceding, Molde might be glad to see Gent roll into town for this UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) opener. Holding a 16-match Eliteserien unbeaten run (W14, D2), Molde top their domestic standings and with their season around two thirds of the way through, the Norwegians’ engines should be running hot ahead of this contest.
A thumping 4-1 victory over their nearest challengers Bodø/Glimt at the weekend should buoy Molde ahead of this clash, who can also lean on an impressive home run of late (W9, D1, L1). Their sole defeat did arrive in a UECL qualifier against Wolfsberger (1-0) and Molde are no strangers to conceding exactly once on home turf, having done so in seven of those 11 games.
Gent are no strangers to the UECL as one of seven clubs to return for a second-straight group stage appearance. Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s side come into this clash on a downer after a 2-1 defeat to Charleroi at the weekend, but in what is now a club-record eighth European appearance in succession, the 2021/22 Belgian Cup champions know their first step towards European success is to repeat their group stage triumph of last season (W4, D1, L1).
Three of those four group stage victories last term came by a 1-0 scoreline, which would hint at a tight affair here. In fact, each of Gent’s last six UECL away games have ended 1-0 too (W3, L3) but having lost their last three European away games, Gent could find themselves on the wrong side of small margins as they seek a first-ever victory in Norway.
Players to watch: Molde’s Ola Brynhildsen has scored four goals across his last three appearances, all of which came after the 40th minute, while Hong Hyun-seok has scored inside 30 minutes in two of Gent’s last four away matches.
Hot stat: Including qualifiers, Gent have never scored a first-half UECL away goal.