Moldova vs Norway: betting odds 22 Mar 2025

The Matchday 1 clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Moldova and Norway will take place on March 22 at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau. Moldova vs. Norway: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Moldova

In the previous World Cup qualifiers, Moldova performed poorly. Despite facing opponents like the Faroe Islands, the team finished last in their group. Moldova lost 9 matches and drew once. The team conceded 30 goals, with only three other European qualifiers having a worse record. However, last year, Sergey Kleshchenko's side managed to win their Nations League group, finishing ahead of Malta and Andorra.

• Moldova conceded at least two goals in their last 5 World Cup qualifying matches.
• At home, the team lost 6 of their last 7 World Cup qualifiers (1 draw).
• In 5 of their last 7 home games in this tournament, the team failed to score.

Predicted lineup for Moldova (4-5-1)

Cristian Avram – Oleg Reabciuk, Artur Crăciun, Veaceslav Posmac, Victor Mudrac – Vadim Rață, Artur Ioniță, Mihail Caimacov, Maxim Cojocaru, Nikita Moțpan – Ion Nicolaescu.

Norway

In the last qualifiers, Norway came close to reaching the finals, but they collected only one point in the last two rounds, finishing third. Overall, the team performed well, avoiding defeat in 8 out of 10 matches (5 wins, 3 draws). Additionally, Norway kept a clean sheet in five games. Their recent official matches were in the Nations League, where they topped Group B3, a result they can be proud of.

• At least one opponent failed to score in 11 of Norway's last 14 World Cup qualifying games.
• In 6 of their last 8 World Cup qualifiers, Norway scored first.
• Norway conceded no more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 away matches in this tournament.

Predicted lineup for Norway (4-4-2)

Ørjan Nyland – Leo Østigård, Marcus Pedersen, Julian Ryerson, Andreas Hanche-Olsen – Morten Thorsby, Martin Ødegaard, Sander Berge, Aron Dønnum – Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth.

Forward Jørgen Strand Larsen is not called up due to a broken arm.

Referee

Matej Jug (Slovenia)

Matches – 11 (International matches, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 50;

Average yellow cards per match – 4.5;

Red cards shown – 3;

Average fouls per match – 26;

Penalties – 36%.

Match Prediction: Moldova vs. Norway

Since the last World Cup qualifiers, Moldova has significantly improved. They are no longer a team that suffers frequent defeats and heavy losses. In their last 20 official matches, Moldova has lost only five times (10 wins, 5 draws), with only one heavy defeat. At home, Sergey Kleshchenko's side remains unbeaten in 8 official matches, taking points from teams like Poland and the Czech Republic, comparable to Norway.

In the previous World Cup qualifiers, Norway achieved only two big wins against Gibraltar (3-0, 5-1). Currently, Norway's attack looks formidable on paper, but this doesn't always translate into results: in their last 12 official away matches, they secured only 4 wins, two of which were by a narrow margin. Ståle Solbakken's team should beat Moldova on quality alone, but a rout is unlikely.

My prediction: Moldova with a handicap (+2)