Matchday 7 of the Europa League 2024/25 group stage between Malmo (Sweden) and Twente (Netherlands) will take place on January 23 at the Eleda Stadium. Malmo vs. Twente: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Germany)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 45;
Average yellow cards per match – 7.5;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 17%.
Predicted lineups for Malmo vs. Twente
Malmo (4-4-2): Joakim Persson – Gabriel Busanello, Nils Satterstrom, Colin Rosler, Jens Stryger-Larsen – Hugo Bolin, Otto Rosengren, Lasse Berg Johnsen, Anders Christiansen – Erik Botheim, Soren Rieks.
Twente (4-3-3): Lars Unnerstall – Bart van Rooij, Mees Hilgers, Alec Van Hurenbeek, Anass Salah-Eddine – Younes Regeer, Sam Steijn, Michal Sadilek – Ricky van Wolfswinkel, Sam Lammers, Michel Vlap.
Each team's lineup is based on their previous match in this tournament.
Malmo
In the last round, the Swedish club ended a three-match losing streak in the Europa League with a 2-2 draw against Galatasaray. However, they have lost even theoretical chances of direct qualification to the tournament's Round of 16 but are still in contention for a playoff spot. With two matches remaining in the group stage, Malmo is 31st in the Europa League standings, trailing the 24th spot by three points. Despite snapping their losing streak, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 consecutive matches in this tournament. In the current group stage, the club has conceded twice as many goals as they have scored, with a goal tally of 6:12.
Due to health issues, the team will be without first-choice goalkeeper Johan Dahlin, defenders Pontus Jansson and Anton Tinnerholm, and forward Stefano Vecchia.
- The team has not won in 11 of their last 12 Europa League matches (1 draw, 10 losses).
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of Malmo's last 7 matches in the second-tier European competition.
- The club failed to score in 5 of their last 6 home Europa League matches.
Twente
The team failed to secure a win in the Europa League once again, drawing 0-0 with Olympiacos in their previous match. As a result, their winless streak in the second-tier European tournament has reached 14 matches (10 draws, 4 losses). Notably, Twente is among five clubs in the current group stage without a win. They are level on points with their upcoming opponent in the Europa League standings but are one spot ahead due to a better goal difference, sharing similar tournament prospects. It's worth noting Twente's low scoring in this year's Europa League, having netted only four goals, with only two clubs scoring less.
Defender Mees Hilgers, midfielders Younes Taha and Younes Regeer, and forward Sam Lammers are still recovering from injuries and will not be included in the squad.
- No more than two goals were scored in 7 of Twente's last 8 Europa League matches.
- Twente has not scored more than once in 11 of their last 12 matches in this tournament.
- The club has drawn their last 5 away Europa League matches.
Malmo vs. Twente: Match Prediction
Both teams have struggled in the current Europa League campaign. The upcoming opponents are deservedly in the lower part of the standings, with only one win between them in 12 matches. Malmo has defensive issues, ranking among the worst defensive teams in the tournament with 12 goals conceded, with only five teams faring worse. Twente, as mentioned earlier, has a low scoring rate.
Nonetheless, the Dutch side is quite resilient, going unbeaten in 4 of the 6 group stage matches, ending them in draws. Moreover, in all three away matches of the current Europa League campaign, Twente has shared points with their opponents, including tough teams like Manchester United, Nice, and Olympiacos. I believe the visitors will not be defeated this time either, as their upcoming opponent has not won at home in the Europa League for six matches, losing five of them without scoring.
Additionally, the outcome of this match may be influenced by the fact that Malmo lacks match practice. The Swedish championship ended back in November, and the club's last official match was on December 12 in the Europa League against Galatasaray. I'm confident the visitors will extend their unbeaten away run in the second-tier European competition. My prediction: Twente win or draw
