Molde vs Larne prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-02 16:45.
[p]Molde are back for a third crack at the UEFA Conference League and do so in fine form having scored 16 times across their last four games (W3, D1). The free-scoring Norwegians are not yet out of title contention back home and having been knocked out of the final stage of Europa League qualifying on penalties against Elfsborg, they’ll be looking to improve on last season’s progress to the last 16 of this competition.[/p]
[p]Prior to that Europa League disappointment, they had won their previous four European home games, netting at least twice in each, so hopes will be high among fans of Erling Moe’s side that they can get off to a strong start here. If history is a guide, then they’ll be even happier given they hammered Glenavon 5-1 in 2018/19, their only previous experience of hosting a Northern Irish side.[/p]
[p]But Larne, who have won the last two Northern Irish Premiership titles, seem well placed to mount a challenge after winning their last three league games via two-goal margins and only losing one top-flight fixture this term (W4, D2). There was also more good news this week as their manager Tiernan Lynch decided against leaving for St. Johnstone.[/p]
[p]After making it through the qualification stages, albeit by the slender margins of a penalty shootout success over Ballkani and a 4-3 aggregate win over Lincoln Red Imps, they are the first Northern Irish team to reach the main draw of a modern continental competition. But with just two European away wins to their name (D2, L5) – both against much lower-ranked opponents than Molde – this could be a harsh introduction for them. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Ola Brynhildsen has scored once in each of Molde’s last five matches and he’s especially dangerous in the second half, when the last four of those goals found the net. So too is Andy Ryan, who has struck in each of Larne’s last three league games, twice between the 65th and 85th minute.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: There was a goal inside the opening ten minutes of four of Molde’s last five fixtures (W3, D1, L1).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]