Molde (Nor) vs Galatasaray (Tur) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-08-22 19:00.
Molde needed extra time to beat KĂŤ KlaksvĂk 2-0 last week (aggregate 3-2) to keep their hopes of reaching their first UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage since 1999/00 alive. The Norwegians will now have to navigate past Galatasaray in the play-offs, a round they exited three seasons ago with a loss to Ferencváros, albeit courtesy of the now-defunct away goals rule. Avoiding another departure at this stage could hinge on how they improve their recent form, having won just one of their last four competitive games (D2, L1).
Playing at Aker Stadion is a big boost to their chances as Molde are on an eight-game unbeaten sequence in home UCL games (W5, D3). With each of those wins accompanied by a clean sheet, defensive solidity could be critical again to carrying an advantage into next week’s return leg.
Galatasaray, looking to halt a three-year absence from the group stage of this competition, won’t be easy opponents to roll over though. The Turkish giants are unbeaten in competitive matches this season (W4, D2) and have kept five consecutive clean sheets. Manager Okan Buruk reckons that success in Europe is in “the genes” of the club, indicating how seriously he will take this two-legged tie.
A chance to win four UCL games in a row beckons, but the visitors will be mindful that their only competitive goals conceded this season have come on the road in a 2-2 draw in the UCL second qualifying round against Lithuanian outfit Žalgiris. Although they followed it up with a 3-0 away win in the previous round, that result remains Gala’s only victory across 20 UCL road trips (D4, L15), hinting at a possible weakness for the hosts to exploit.
Players to watch: Molde midfielder Magnus Wolff Eikrem has been a leader of his pack recently, recording three goal contributions (G1, A2) across his last four matches – despite starting just twice. Looking to outdo him will be Mauro Icardi, who followed up his second-leg winner for Galatasaray in their last UCL match with a brace last weekend against Trabzonspor.
Hot stat: Galatasaray conceded first in nine of their last 11 away UCL matches.