The first leg of the 2024/25 Conference League playoff between Molde (Norway) and Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) will take place on February 13 at Molde Stadium. Molde vs. Shamrock Rovers: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Molde
The Norwegians finished the group stage of the tournament in 23rd place, collecting seven points. Notably, the club secured their place in the playoffs only in the final round by defeating Mlada Boleslav 4-3 at home, with the decisive goal coming after the 90th minute. Prior to 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.
In the off-season, the club appointed a new head coach, Per-Mathias Høgmo.
- At least three goals have been scored in 11 of Molde's last 12 games in this European competition.
- In their last 15 matches in this tournament, Molde has drawn only once (7 wins and 7 losses).
- The number "3" has appeared in the final score in 5 of Molde's last 7 home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Molde (4-5-1)
Elbert Posiadala – Waldemar Lund Jensen, Kristoffer Haugen, Martin Linnes, Martin Bjornbak – Mads Enggaard, Christian Eriksen, Emil Breivik, Markus Kaasa, Magnus Eikrem – Frederik Iler.
Shamrock Rovers
The Irish side lost only once in the group stage of the tournament, and that was in the final round, where they predictably fell to Chelsea away (1-5). Prior to this, Stephen Bradley's team had a five-match unbeaten run in the Conference League (3 wins and 2 draws). The club finished in a high 10th place, missing out on the top eight only due to a poorer goal difference. Interestingly, this is the first time in this century that the Irish club has reached the playoffs of a European competition.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final score in 5 of Shamrock Rovers' last 6 games in the Conference League.
- At least two goals have been scored in the club's last eight matches in this tournament.
- The Irish have trailed at halftime 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'Neil, 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 matches. The Irish champions have not only reached the playoffs of a European competition for the first time but previously usually ended their campaigns in the qualifying rounds before the main round. Interestingly, they managed to reach the playoffs thanks to a favorable schedule, which included matches against Borac, New Saints, and Larne, from which the Irish collected maximum points.
Shamrock Rovers are likely to lose in Norway by a margin of two or more goals. Molde are regular participants in European competitions and frequently play 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 each of those victories. In the Conference League, they have won five of their last seven home games.
My prediction – Molde with a handicap (-1.5)
