The first leg of the 2024/25 Conference League playoff between Molde (Norway) and Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) will take place on February 13 at the Molde Stadium. Molde vs. Shamrock Rovers: prediction and statistics.
Molde
The Norwegians finished the group stage in 23rd place, collecting seven points. It's worth noting that they secured their playoff spot only in the final round by defeating Mlada Boleslav 4-3 at home, with the decisive goal scored after the 90th minute. Before this victory, Molde had not won in this European competition for four matches (1 draw and 3 losses). The team is participating in the Conference League for the fourth time but has only reached the round of 16 once.
During the off-season, the club appointed a new head coach, Per-Mathias Høgmo. The team is also dealing with injuries: forward Veton Berisha and defender Kasper Øyvann are sidelined.
- At least three goals have been scored in 11 of Molde's last 12 matches in this European competition.
- In the last 15 matches of the Norwegians in this tournament, there has been only one draw (7 wins and 7 losses).
- The number "3" appeared in the final score in 5 of the club's last 7 home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Molde (4-5-1)
Elbert Posiadala – Valdemar Lund Jensen, Kristoffer Haugen, Martin Linnes, Martin Bjørnbak – Mads Enggaard, Kristoffer Eriksen, Emil Breivik, Markus Kaasa, Magnus Eikrem – Fredrik Iler.
Shamrock Rovers
The Irish side lost only once in the group stage. This defeat came in the final round, where they were expectedly beaten 5-1 away by Chelsea. Before that, Stephen Bradley's team had a five-match unbeaten run in the Conference League (3 wins and 2 draws). The club finished in a respectable 10th place, missing out on the top eight only due to an inferior goal difference. Interestingly, the Irish club has reached the playoffs of a European competition for the first time this century.
- The number "1" appeared in the final score in 5 of Shamrock Rovers' last 6 matches in the Conference League.
- At least two goals have been scored in the club's last eight matches in this tournament.
- The Irish side lost the first half in 7 of their last 8 away matches in this European competition.
Predicted lineup for Shamrock Rovers (3-5-2)
Leon Pohls – Lee Grace, Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes – Joshua Honohan, Dylan Watts, Markus Poom, Gary O'Neill, Darragh Burns – Neil Farrugia, Johnny Kenny.
Referee
Andris Treimanis (Latvia)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 44;
Average yellow cards per match – 7.3;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 17%.
Molde vs. Shamrock Rovers: Match Prediction
I believe the Norwegians will comfortably defeat this opponent, and they will do so in both legs. The Irish champions have not only reached the European playoffs for the first time but have previously often exited in the qualifying rounds. Interestingly, they made it to the playoffs thanks to a favorable schedule, which included matches against Borac, The New Saints, and Larne, where they collected maximum points.
Shamrock Rovers are likely to lose in Norway by a margin of two or more goals. Molde is a regular participant in European competitions and often plays in the autumn stages. The Scandinavians have won seven of their last ten home matches in the Conference League and Europa League, scoring at least two goals in their victories. In the Conference League, they have won five of their last seven home games.
My prediction: Molde with a handicap (-1.5)
