Moldova vs Norway prediction: EUROPE: World Championship – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-03-21 17:00.
[p]Moldova have never played in a major tournament, but a fantastic 2024 has given supporters hope that they can break that duck. The Tricolours lost just two of their ten matches over the calendar year (W6, D2) – form which secured top spot in their UEFA Nations League (UNL) group and provides them with two possible routes to the 2026 World Cup.[/p]
[p]That is welcome news for Serghei Cleșcenco’s side, who have finished bottom of their last two World Cup qualifying groups (WCQ), failing to win a single game in the process (D3, L17)! Moldova could hardly be better placed to end that miserable run as they have won three successive home matches for the first time in 21 years, keeping clean sheets in each victory, although the highest-ranked of those three teams was #168 Malta.[/p]
[p]Extending that run will be tough against #43-ranked Norway, who also topped their UNL group after winning four of their six matches (D1, L1) to secure promotion to League A for the first time. That has raised hopes of a first appearance at a major tournament since 2000, but the Lions’ form on the road threatens to undermine those aims.[/p]
[p]Ståle Solbakken’s side have won just two of their last eight away matches (D3, L3), conceding 3+ goals four times in the process. Norway do at least boast H2H superiority having never previously lost to Moldova (W4, D1), with one of those victories coming in World Cup qualifying back in 2005, so facing inferior opposition could be the best way to cure their away day blues.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Ion Nicolaescu is Moldova’s all-time top scorer, and as he has netted in the March international break in each of the last four years, he may expect to add to his 16-goal tally. On target in two of his last three matches for Atlético Madrid, Alexander Sørloth has also registered a goal or an assist in each of his last five appearances for Norway.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Norway’s last five matches have all featured over 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]