Molde welcome Larne to Aker Stadion for a UEFA Conference League clash on Thursday (October 3rd). The hosts are coming off an eight-goal thriller against Tromso at the same venue in the Eliteserien over the weekend.
They went into the break two goals up courtesy of strikes from Magnus Eikrem and Kristian Eriksen. Leo Cornic scored a brace for the visitors before David Edvardsson also scored an injury time goal for Tromso. Halldor Stevenik, Ola Brynhildsen and Eriksen scored second-half goals to help the hosts claim a 5-3 victory.
Larne, meanwhile, claimed maximum points with a 3-1 comeback away win over Cliftonville in the NIFL Premiership. They went behind to Rory Donnelly's 17th-minute strike but Tomas Cosgrove equalized eight minutes into the second half. Jonathan Adiis' dismissal midway through the second half handed the momentum to the visitors and they scored two quick-fire goals to leave with all three points.
Tiernan Lynch's side will turn their attention to the continent and are the first Northern Irish club to reach the main stage of a European competition. They booked their spot at this stage with a 4-3 aggregate win over Lincoln Red Imps in the playoffs. Molde dropped into the Conference League following their penalty shootout elimination by Elfsborg in the UEFA Europa League.
Molde vs Larne Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between the two sides.
- Molde have won four of their last five European home games, scoring at least twice in each victory.
- Larne have won just two of their historical nine away games in UEFA club competitions (five losses).
- The opening goal has been scored inside the first 10 minutes in four of Molde's last five competitive games.
- Eight of Larne's 11 games across competitions this season have produced less than three goals.
Molde vs Larne Prediction
Molde kept their slim Eliteserien title hopes alive with their exhilarating victory last weekend. Erling Moe's side have been rampant in front of goal, having scored 16 times across their last four competitive games. They will be full of confidence here and are the heavy favorites.
Larne are on a five-game unbeaten run (four wins), albeit without having faced any side near the level of their hosts.
We are backing the home side to claim a multi-goal victory.
Prediction: Molde 3-1 Larne
Molde vs Larne Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Molde to win
Tip 2 - Over 1.5 goals in the first half: Yes
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals: Yes
Tip 4 - Molde to score over 1.5 goals