Molde will face off against Elfsborg in an exciting Europa League clash on Thursday at Aker Stadion. Both teams have shown strong performances in the qualifying rounds, making this match a highly anticipated encounter.
### Match Preview
Molde, who entered the competition in the second qualifying round, managed to advance to this stage after defeating Cercle Brugge. On the other hand, Elfsborg, who started in the first round, secured their spot by overcoming Rijeka with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
In their recent Europa League matches, Molde displayed dominance with a 3-0 win against Cercle Brugge. Despite a 1-0 loss in the second leg, their solid performance in the first leg proved to be enough to see them through to the next round. Manager Erling Moe will be looking to guide his team into the group stage for the second consecutive season.
Elfsborg, on the other hand, have been in impressive form, with nine wins in their last 12 games across all competitions. They have shown resilience and determination, even playing with 10 men in their first-leg tie against Rijeka. Manager Oscar Hiljemark will be aiming to continue their strong run and secure a positive result against Molde.
### Team News
In terms of team news, Molde forwards Fredrik Gulbrandsen and Veton Berisha are expected to be sidelined until late August due to injuries. Moe is likely to stick with a similar lineup to the one that secured a convincing win against Cercle Brugge.
For Elfsborg, centre-back Gustav Henriksson is a doubt for the match, potentially paving the way for Buhari Ibrahim to start in his place. The team will be looking to maintain their solid defensive record and capitalize on their recent good form.
### Possible Lineups
Molde possible starting lineup:
Posiadala; Oyvann, Hagelskjaer, Lund; Linnes, Kaasa, Daehli, Breivik, Lovik; Eikrem, Eriksen
Elfsborg possible starting lineup:
Pettersson; Yegbe, Ibrahim, Holmen; Hedlund, Zeneli, Ouma, Hult; Qasem, Baidoo, Frick
### Match Prediction
Considering Molde’s recent form and Elfsborg’s impressive run, this match is expected to be closely contested. Both teams have shown their quality in the qualifying rounds, making it difficult to predict a clear winner. A 1-1 draw seems like a likely outcome, setting the stage for an exciting second leg.
In conclusion, the Molde vs. Elfsborg Europa League clash promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams hungry for success. Fans can expect an intense battle on the field as both sides aim to secure a vital advantage in the first leg. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as these two teams face off in a crucial European showdown.