Molde vs Cercle Brugge Prediction: Molde and Cercle Brugge are likely to play out a 1-1 draw in their Europa League qualifier, keeping the tie evenly balanced for the second leg.
The Aker Stadion in Molde, Norway will host an intriguing Europa League third qualifying round first-leg tie between Molde FK and Cercle Brugge on Thursday evening. Both sides enter this contest with hopes of advancing to the main stage of the newly expanded 2024-25 Europa League.
Match Details
Date: August 8, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM local time (CET)
Venue: Aker Stadion, Molde
Predicted Molde vs Cercle Brugge Lineups
Molde Lineup (4-3-3): Hagelskjaer, Kaasa, Daehli, Lovik, Lund, Posiadala, Eikrem, Eriksen, Breivik, Oyvann, Stenevik.
Cercle Brugge Lineup (4-3-3): Van Der Bruggen, Ravych, Denkey, Nazinho, Agyekum, Popovic, Olaigbe, Somers, Warleson, Daland, Ouattara.
Key Players to Watch
Molde: Keep an eye on the attacking duo of Kristian Eriksen and Magnus Wolff Eikrem. Both players have netted eight goals each in the Eliteserien this season, making them joint top scorers in the Norwegian top flight.
Cercle Brugge: Captain Thibo Somers has been in fine form, scoring in both legs of their previous qualifying tie against Kilmarnock. His link-up play with striker Kevin Denkey could be crucial for the Belgian side.
Injury News and Unavailable Players
Molde:
- Fredrik Gulbrandsen (injured)
- Veton Berisha (injured)
- Johan Bakke (injured)
- Kristoffer Haugen (doubtful)
Cercle Brugge:
- Ibrahim Diakite (thigh injury)
- Nils De Wilde (hamstring injury)
- Malamine Efekele (doubtful)
These players are either confirmed to be out of the match or face late fitness tests before the game. Their absence could significantly impact the tactics and formations of both teams, potentially influencing the outcome of this crucial Europa League qualifier.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between Molde and Cercle Brugge, adding an element of unpredictability to the encounter.
Recent Form
Molde: Erling Moe’s Molde side have hit a rough patch domestically, collecting just one point from their last three Eliteserien matches. Their most recent outing resulted in a 1-0 away defeat to Viking. However, they did manage to overcome Silkeborg in the previous Europa League qualifying round with a 5-4 aggregate victory.
Cercle Brugge: The Belgian outfit have also struggled in their domestic league, losing both of their opening Pro League fixtures. A 3-0 defeat to Westerlo was followed by a 2-1 home loss against Kortrijk. In Europe, they edged past Kilmarnock with a narrow 2-1 aggregate win in the second qualifying round.
Where to Watch?
Molde vs Cercle Brugge Live Streaming and TV Schedule:
Norway: VG+ International: Official Club Channel Home
Unfortunately, no official broadcasters have been announced for this match in other countries as of now. Fans should check their local listings closer to kick-off time for potential updates.
Match Prediction
Given both teams’ recent struggles in their domestic leagues, this could be a closely contested affair. Molde’s home advantage and slightly superior European pedigree might give them a slight edge. However, Cercle Brugge’s resilience, as shown in their narrow victory over Kilmarnock, shouldn’t be underestimated.
Predicted Score: Molde 1-1 Cercle Brugge
This result would keep the tie finely poised heading into the second leg in Belgium next week.
Current Standings
As this is a qualifying round match, there are no group-stage standings to report. However, it’s worth noting that Molde finished fifth in the 2023 Eliteserien, while Cercle Brugge ended fourth in the Belgian Pro League Champions’ Playoffs last season.
This Europa League qualifier represents a golden opportunity for both clubs to potentially reach the group stages of a major European competition, with Cercle Brugge, in particular, aiming to make their debut at this level.
Also Read:
