The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Legia (Poland) and Molde (Norway) will take place on March 13 at the Polish Army Stadium in Warsaw. The first match ended 3-2 in favor of Molde. Legia vs. Molde: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Legia
Gonzalo Feio's team lost 2-3 to Molde in the first leg, marking their third consecutive defeat in the Conference League – the longest such streak for the team in this European competition. Additionally, Legia conceded three goals in two consecutive matches in the Conference League. To advance to the next round, the Polish side needs to win in regular time by at least two goals. Notably, the club last reached the quarter-finals of any European competition in the 1995/96 season.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Conference League (4 wins, 1 draw).
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 90 minutes in 7 of the club's last 9 home matches in this European competition.
- The Poles scored exactly one or two goals in regular time in 4 of their last 5 home games in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Legia (4-3-3)
Vladan Kovacevic – Pawel Wszolek, Steve Kapuadi, Ruben Vinagre, Jan Zielkowski – Claude Gonçalves, Bartosz Kapustka, Vahan Bichakhchyan – Kacper Chodyna, Marc Gual, Maxi Oyedele.
Midfielder Lucas Luquinhas will not play due to suspension.
Molde
Per-Mathias Høgmo's side, having won the first leg, secured their first back-to-back victories in this season's Conference League. Moreover, Molde scored at least three goals for the third time in the current competition. However, the club has conceded 14 goals in the ongoing tournament – more than any other team still in the competition. To advance to the next round, the Norwegians need to avoid losing in 90 minutes, and in the event of a one-goal defeat, extra time will be played. Notably, Molde has never reached the quarter-finals of any European competition before.
- The club has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away matches in the Conference League (1 draw, 4 losses).
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 90 minutes in 6 of the team's last 8 away games in this European competition.
- The Norwegians scored in regular time in 10 of their last 13 away matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Molde (4-2-3-1)
Jakob Karlstrøm – Martin Linnes, Eirik Haugan, Valdemar Lund Jensen, Halldor Stenevik – Emil Breivik, Mats Dæhli – Kristian Eriksen, Mads Enggaard, Eirik Hestad – Fredrik Gulbrandsen.
Referee
Matej Jug (Slovenia)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 49;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.9;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 40%.
Legia vs. Molde: Match Prediction
The support of their fans often helps the Poles achieve positive results in European competitions, and Legia focuses on creativity in their home games. The club regularly breaks through opponents' defenses and has no problem scoring goals: in their last 13 home matches in the Conference League, the team failed to score only once. Moreover, in seven encounters during this period, the Poles scored at least twice.
Molde is also not used to sitting back and even in away matches, they actively push forward. In 10 of their last 13 away games in the Conference League, the team found the back of the net, doing so at least twice in seven of those matches. At the same time, the Norwegians rarely manage to defend flawlessly: in their last 14 away games in this European competition, Molde kept a clean sheet only four times.
I expect both opponents to be effective in attack. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
