In an exciting Europa League third qualifying round clash, Norwegian club Molde will host Belgian side Cercle Brugge at the Aker Stadion on Thursday evening.
This match marks the first-ever encounter between the two teams, both eager to progress to the main stage of the newly-expanded 2024-25 Europa League.
Molde: Team News and Form
Molde, finishing fifth in the 2023 Eliteserien, secured their Europa League spot by winning the Norwegian Cup for the sixth time.
In the second qualifying round, they triumphed over Danish side Silkeborg with a 5-4 aggregate victory.
Despite their continental success, Molde's domestic form has been disappointing, earning just one point from their last three league games and currently sitting fourth in the table.
Key Players and Injuries
Molde will be without Fredrik Gulbrandsen, Veton Berisha, and Johan Bakke due to injuries.
Kristoffer Haugen, who missed the second-leg clash with Silkeborg, remains a doubt.
The team will rely heavily on Kristian Eriksen and Magnus Wolff Eikrem, who have both scored eight goals in the Eliteserien this season.
Cercle Brugge: Team News and Form
Cercle Brugge is making only their second appearance in the Europa League qualifiers after finishing fourth in the Belgian Pro League Champions' Playoffs last season.
They narrowly edged past Kilmarnock 2-1 on aggregate in the second qualifying round.
However, their start to the new domestic season has been rocky, with consecutive defeats to Westerlo and Kortrijk.
Key Players and Injuries
Cercle Brugge will miss summer signing Ibrahim Diakite, who is nursing a thigh injury, and Nils De Wilde with a hamstring issue.
Captain Thibo Somers, who scored in his last two games, is expected to lead the attack alongside Abdoul Kader Ouattara and Kazeem Olaigbe.
Prediction
Both teams have had their struggles on the domestic front, suggesting a closely contested match.
Molde, with home advantage, might hold a slight edge, but Cercle Brugge's resilience can't be underestimated.
Our Prediction: Molde 1-1 Cercle Brugge
Molde 
Cercle Brugge 
