Molde vs Shamrock Rovers prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-02-12 17:45.
[p]Molde enter their UEFA Conference League knockout-phase play-off first leg against Shamrock Rovers as clear favourites, but the Norwegians finished four points below their upcoming opponents in the league phase and havenât played competitively in 2025, with their last such outing being a dramatic 4-3 win over MladĂĄ Boleslav which only just ensured Conference League progression. This will also be new head coach Per-Mathias HĂžgmoâs first match in charge (excluding friendlies), so there is an element of unpredictability heading into this tie.[/p]
[p]One thing that Molde can fall back on is the fact that they have won all six of their previous meetings with Irish clubs, including beating Shamrock Rovers home and away âto nilâ in the group stage of what was then the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022/23. Progression here would be a notable moment in Moldeâs history, as it would be the joint-furthest theyâve ever progressed in continental competition. [/p]
[p]Shamrock Rovers made history by becoming the first-ever Irish side to negotiate the group or league phase in Europe, but just like their opponents here, they too are out of match practice. They last played competitively against top-tier opposition in December, when they lost 5-1 at Chelsea having already secured a place in the knockout-phase play-offs, while since then, three goalscorers from the current Conference League campaign, Markus Poom, Neil Farrugia and Johnny Kenny, have either returned to their parent clubs or left permanently. [/p]
[p]The Hoopsâ record against Norwegians teams is poor, having won just one of their six such matches (D1, L4), but something that may raise the spirits of the Shamrock Rovers travelling support is the fact that theyâve scored in their last eight away trips across all competitions, winning four of those games (D2, L2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Halldor Stenevik got the all-important 91st-minute winner against MladĂĄ Boleslav, extending his run of first-team goalscoring appearances – in which both sides on the day found the net – to 11 matches. Dylan Wattsâ goals against APOEL and The New Saints have been instrumental in taking Shamrock Rovers this far, but the last six times heâs got on the scoresheet, the game has either only been a draw or a one-goal margin of victory for his current employers. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Shamrock Rovers have received the first booking in their last six matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]